Niki Patel, a junior at Jacksonville High School, placed 2nd in the 11th/12th grade poetry division of the Regional Office of Education Writing Talent Search.
A Long Journey With Little Time
A lifetime appears to be a prolonged journey
Similar to hiking up an elevated mountain reaching the sky
And a cascading waterfall that never stops flowing
The destination may be a great distance away
But when accomplished
Life seems so short
Solitary, boring days drag on
Vibrant, joyful days swiftly accelerate
If only we had the capability to control time
Freezing treasured moments
Gliding past miserable days
But this snatches away the meaning of life
For it is all about accepting circumstances
Bringing smiles on others’ faces
Lighting our realm with lamps of happiness
Passing down worshipped traditions and culture
Planning the future
Summoning the past