Beyond The Measure

By Pratyusha Deshmukh

They handed me a paper,

numbers bold and stark.

As if a soul can be measured?

by a line, a grade or some marks.

But competence transcends the page,

beyond what scores import.

It pulses in resilience,

in intellect and heart

of every child that carries a spark.

True merit lies in a mystery

of self and subtle kind of art,

The dance of depth and dilligence

of the gained knowledge paired with a pure heart.

A mark wont show the courage

it takes to try once more,

or the quiet grit of effort

of how we light our candle,

when we cant find any answers.

Competency is deeper,

it grows and spreads in unseen ways,

in how we solve problems and puzzles.

On how we tackle everyday problems a little better.

Real knowledge of mine,

its build with choices and my own thinking,

We step for those challenges ahead of me,

which lie far outside the line.

So judge me again,

not by totals,

or by the marks we gain,

For we learn through through the process,

the patient process of joy and pain.

For I am more than mere meterics,

I’m an essence I finely molded,

of numerous late-night self reflections,

and the growth gained blindfolded.

By Pratyusha Deshmukh