Contest Winner: Eva P

The Things We Lose

Is the main purpose of life to gain?

As we grow, knowledge and opportunities are thrust upon us,

We revel in our triumphs, celebrate the wins,

However, we rarely remember the things we lose,

They slip past us like raindrops on a window,

I know one thing I lost,

Maybe I would be different if I still had it now,

That is my confidence,

When I was younger,

I could say what I wanted to without hesitation,

Could wear what I wanted to if I liked it,

Didn’t have to think so hard about grades and tests,

I believe that was confidence, but I took it for granted,

Now I think hard about what I say,

Is it repetitive, boring, awkward, offensive?

I spend hours every morning picking an outfit,

Is it too similar to what I wore yesterday?

Am I important enough for people to notice things like that?

Now, every free night is devoted to studying,

I spend hours debating whether I answered a question right or wrong,

All of these thoughts haunt my brain, my every waking moment,

So, to sum it up, I didn’t remember the things I had lost until now,

A feeling that was once so familiar became foreign,

However, now that I do remember,

I have not a loss, but something to regain,