Comparison begins where childhood should bloom,

Turning every dream into a competition.

Peer pressure whispers, "Run faster, be better,"

Until peace is replaced by silent stress.

Young hearts carry burdens beyond their years,

Chasing expectations that are never their own.

Laughter fades beneath the weight of approval,

While self-worth is measured against another's success.

Every finish line reveals a new beginning,

Every victory demands an even greater one.

The applause of the world is brief,

But the scars of constant comparison remain.

When the noise finally fades away,

Only one truth stands unshaken—

Life was never meant to be a race.

— Anwesha Sharma

Class XI

Delhi Public School, Jammu

Garnishing Power - "Patience"

This morning was a

bit different,

With silence and patience

With Love and obeisance.

It was silence in a crowded room

Light in a dark room

Inside the colourful gloom

With flowers of love bloom

Everything found different

Which usually seems alike

Just like an experienced old fiddler

With a violin of a kiddler

I wish I could feel this before

This latent exquisite power

Waiting for me at the shore

Embellishing the patience lovely bower!

-Garima Sharma

Jammu

Rise up!

Lost within a real of deep illusion,

trapped in gallery of hollow smiles,

unscathed by the glares of envious eyes,

Rise up! You need to redefine.

When you are broken or shattered down,

Jaded, with no sign of relief or sign,

finding no hand to touch the soul,

Rise up! You are destined to prevail,

People may applaud you or tear you apart,

Cherish you flawlessly, or drain your very heart,

Push you to the summit, or drag you to the dust,

Rise up! Bring forth the truest version of who you are.

No matter how the shadow falls,

even tsunami after destruction get fall,

You inner God is more powerful than the odds,

Rise up! You are master, an architect of your life,

Dr R.K.Gupta

Lecturer

GGMHSS Samba