A Touch of Failure

By Aaradhya Sinha

A touch of failure before my gold medal’s gleam,

They say it’s part of success, but it feels so extreme.

Words are easy to speak, but harder to act on,

Do you think going back to zero after ninety-nine is a fact?

It’s not just about starting fresh each time,

But redoing everything one more time

They say failure’s a step, a part of the climb,

Yet it feels like a war, a battle with time.

Words are spoken, written with ease,

But to live them out, must I face such unease?

For I see failure before my medal’s gold glow,

Is it all in my mind, or will I ever know?

Can I restart? Can I redo?

Is life about second chances, or is it just cruel?

First chances seem cursed, destined to break,

Must I stumble again for the steps I must take?

Climbing this ladder, do I need every bruise?

Is there no way to ascend without something to lose?

It’s easy to say, “Climb again, bear the pain,”

But do I have the strength to face this refrain?

Will society mock me if I stumble and fall?

Will they see it as part of my journey at all?

For they say failure is success in disguise,

Can’t I skip a step, just once, for the prize?

Raw and aching, I stand at the brink,

Must I fall to rise, or find another link?

I’m weary, I’m worn, with doubt in my soul,

Can I skip a step, still reach my goal?

By Aaradhya Sinha