We often hear about remembering to turn on the light when things appear dark. But what we forget is to block the negativity before turning on the light. This poem is inspired by a well known short story about a group of men who wished to climb a tall mountain but gave up at several stages as they fell prey to the harsh words of the onlookers. All except one came back before reaching the top. The one man who made it to the top was asked how he managed to do so. “I could not hear any of the comments as I was born deaf. All the while I believed they were cheering for me from beneath.” he replied.

Girl with a Dream

She walked past the mocking words,

leaving behind her fears.

Eyes focused on a dream,

She had seen for years.

One said she is not strong enough,

other, not bold enough

One said she is not strong enough,

other, not bold enough

Yet, others said she is not wise enough.

One said she is not of age

Other said she has to change

One said she is not of age

Other said she has to change

Yet, others said she was not of any linage

But she kept walking

Mistaking the harsh words for cheers

Eyes focused on a dream

She had seen for years.

Then came the day

She stood on the dais

holding the dream

that shone ablaze

The world watched her in disbelief

The words now changed

Mockers were in awe

the bird was no longer caged

She smiled gratefully

her efforts had finally paid

looking back at the day she had finally

turned off her hearing aid.

Poem by

Ashwini Shenoy

Author of Shikhandini

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Featured Image: Photo by Nina Uhlíková from Pexels