If at first you don’t succeed ….

A new goal in the horizon, 
 As beautiful as the morning sun,
 Inviting and invigorating
 Beckons you to fasten your laces
 Hasten your paces
 And push your spirits beyond boundaries
 To touch its pristine limits 
 And experience the heights of happiness.  

When on the journey you set off,
 Training your eyes on the prize
 Neither did your steps falter 
 Nor did your mind dwell
 On such matters insignificant as:
 The trials and hardships; 
 Costly missteps and treacherous mishaps 
 Along your path of choosing. 

Your fortitude held sway
 And ambition swept your fears away. 
 Every time a boulder blocked the way
 Your grit shattered its indestructible causeway. 
 Alas, a cheating destiny 
 Snatched your overflowing joy,
 When inches before the pinnacle
 Your steps faltered and you crumbled.  

All the strength you had known but once,
 Deserted you, 
 They retracted without a backward glance. 
 Leaving you bereft.
 Failure and misery you befriended anew,
 Every moment, every step you took,
 True companions, they stayed with you
 Shaping your thoughts, actions—even your look.  

 
Shake off these brutal naysayers, 
 Rediscover the bold and brave you.
 Hiding in your soul, behind veils of defeat
 Are your true soul mates: courage and persistence. 
 For if at first you don’t succeed, why cry and cry again, 
 When with mere determination you can try once again
 To challenge the loss; make it buckle and scram. 
 And savour sweet success, like life born again.   

Sketch: Vivek Anandhan N V