"Before I..." By Insiya K. Patanwala
-Before I became strong, I knew what it was like
To be weak,
How difficult it is to love yourself,
To find the wholeness that you seek.
Before I knew the light,
I have had my fair share of darkness, too,
Where my world fell into a hopelessness
And I didn't know how to get through.
I have known the tears it takes,
The courage to stand up again,
When you are broken down and bruised
And you know nothing but the pain.
You forget to appreciate love,
If you haven't seen the hate,
Till you forget the meaning of smile and laughter,
And your heart is left abate.
I have known the strength and courage
It requires to get it right,
To face the things that hold you down
And hold your head up and fight.
Before I was who I am now,
I was someone I didn't want to be.
I was lost, battered, and defeated,
Before I knew how to be me!
"The Ghost of My Past" By Lee W. Barker
-Fumbling, stumbling,
around in the dark.
Fighting, igniting,
flames from a spark.
Blinded, reminded,
of the fear inside.
Turning, yearning,
for a place to hide.
Soaking, choking,
struggling to breathe.
Hiding, abiding,
my ghost won't leave.
Chasing, racing,
I stagger away.
Breathless, restless
in the mud, I lay.
Dreaming, gleaming,
I escape the past.
Winning, a new beginning,
I am free at last.
"Simpler Times" By Ayush Sharma
-Take me back to those simpler times
When all I sang were nursery rhymes,
When stealing chocolates was my only crime,
When sleep used to come early, at nine,
When my fears were much more sublime,
When I was unaware of society's standard,
When I actually used to mean, "I am fine."
Please, take me back to those simpler times.
