Through the grim night, I wait for the clutches of sleep to hold me
To pull me out of this grim existence and cease my waking misery.
What is Oh mind what troubles you so?
Is it love or life, hope or strife?
Is it the burden of another's expectation weighing you down?
Or Is it the fear of underperformance's inescapable trance?
Why does it feel like happiness will never again stand a chance?.
When will this tempest within me cease?
Oh, Where will I find peace!
Approval I seek in the ones I love
But whatever I do is never good enough.
It's like a neverending tightrope I am forever destined to walk
The tiniest slip and my world will fall apart.
I try to be dutiful I try to stay on track
But under this yoke of pressure I fear I will crack
Every night I cry myself to sleep betrayed by my own strength
I am not you Dad! I am not as strong.
It is hard to explain the difficulties of the path I have chosen to tread on.
For only I know how I have been trampled upon.
It feels like I am standing alone.
No one to hear me scream or ease my acheful mourn.
Sometimes I feel I should leave it all,
Throw in the towel and let everything fall.
But "No, I Won't !" " No, I Can't !"
For hope is all I have,
You say give it up " No I Shan't !"

The clock is ticking,
The tension is building,
The crowd of competitors is thinning,
The air is filled with the chills of cutthroat rivalry.
At this point coursing through my veins is adrenaline giving me the courage and telling me," I CAN DO IT. "
But how can I ignore the darkness within me,
a voice whisper " What if .....?"
"What if you fail?" " What if you forget? " "What if you make a fool out of yourself? "
I'm lost.
Forced to my feet by a distant call I rise. I find myself on center stage facing a multitude of stares. The crowds have now begun to resemble a hungry pack of wolves tearing into the fragile fabric of my being. Like a fledgling's first flight I take a leap of faith and I begin to speak. The words begin to flow out of me as the dam of my inhibitions shatters. The stares that once threatened to engulf me are now filled with wonder and awe as my aura captivates the crowd. The shackles of stage fright that held me back have now given way as I emerge from myself a new being devoid of the shroud of fear and adorned by a glistening veil of confidence and control.
I felt lighter than before. I now stood with my head held high, a master of my shortcoming, a master of my fear. That's when it dawned on me Does winning matter anymore? Will that piece of metal change the person that I have become? and that's when I realized.
It is not winning or losing that matters but participation. It is the thrill of a challenge, the fear of failure, and the joy praise that makes you who you are.
And that is when I asked myself....
Is The Medal All I'm Worth?

Across the corridor, I see your face radiant as ever,
I want is to say " Hi " but sadly I cower.
And then on the soccer field, I see you move with complete grace,
winning my heart with your every pace.
Under  your heated gaze, I stumble, I fall
This treacherous game called love isn't for all.

Tall, Dark and Handsome the specimen of divine finesse
While here I am just another girl, a holy mess.
Smitten I stand unable to move,
While my heart dances to its own groove.
Every morning I drag myself to class,
Hoping a wayward smile, my way may pass.
With a friendly embrace, you shattered my walls.
This treacherous game called love isn't for all

Broken am I,
A little I die.
When by your side, the popular girls I see battling for your attention.
But there is nothing I can do to ease my aching soul,
For I don't know the rules of seduction.
Compared to all the Barbies, I feel so small.
This treacherous game called love isn't for all.

Senior Year is over, its time to say goodbye.
My heart is gripped by sadness and all I can do is cry.
Never again will I see you in the corridor, nor you ever my way glance,
For too scared was I of heartbreak and failed to give love a chance.
Never will I know your touch, my love!
Never will I feel your tender embrace.
Thanks to my cowardice this tragedy on me befalls,
Sadly this treacherous game called love isn't for all.

Sometimes I look up at the skies and wonder
Is there really someone up there?
Or is it just a feeling.
An eye in the yonder
Or just the trust of upbringing
Is there really an almighty power?
 Or just your conscience.
A voice telling you right from wrong
Is it the voice of heaven ?
Or just a quiet song?
Is it the almighty that brings blessings?
Or the love of thy neighbour
Are we puppets of the divine ?
Or is that a mask under which we cower
In the name of God many battles we have fought,
Many martyrs have we slaughtered
Is it God who divides brother from brother?
Or is it man's intention to divide and conquer
Is it religion that teaches us to slay a brother?
Or is it man's hunger for power
To answer these questions is an endless battle
A sword which has seen many deaths.
For answers we look in the books and scrolls of old
Though in the humbleness of a child they hold
For what is religion? The toddler does not know.
But with all his might goodness he  shows
A rebel am l to say this but what I say is true -
With age the true meaning of life we subdue.
The sacred bond of family we break
And in turn for love, we ache.
For in our race for money forgotten have we
The mother of all religions
HUMANITY