Deep inside,

Where there shan’t be light,

Darkness lurks and fires ignite

Ignite, it shall,

It leads away and on

To the point where you can’t fathom,

What’s going on?

You discern that spot

And all its goals,

But a wall builds up

And bewilders all those innocent souls

Unconfined,

Those souls swore,

To what used to be a vast ocean,

And now is a diminutive shore

“ Why?,” they ask,

“ we are your goals, after all”

With a shake of your head

came a sigh,

As wide as the moon,

As immense as your eyes

“ Shall I say this, or shall I not,

Howbeit, I beg to differ,

 does it change the plot?”

Here and there

began the murmurs and dares

some in shock,

while some won’t bear

The memories that haunt,

The goals that aspire,

I built that wall,

Now I shall retire

Of all that I’ve created,

Plotted, or thought,

What most oppresses me

Is what I ought

Darkness is light turned outside in,

My radiant hopes turned to obsidian

With one last look, I turned away,

Drew in one breath and began to say

“ Farewell my dreams,

‘Till we meet when you’re blackened,

And as the times come and go,

We all shall stay determined”

About The Poet

Good Afternoon, My name is Afra Al Mansouri. As you all may know, I’ve written a poem and so have the other students here with me. I am 14 years of age and I am representing Al Shohub Private school

So, why am I here? What makes me a worthy poet? What inspired me to scribble my thoughts on a piece paper? Determination. Determination did, and now I’m here. If you know how I feel, standing on this stage, in front of all of you, then you probably are thinking, “ what has she written?”. Believe me when I say, that listening to my poem is worth it, it worth your time. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a wonderful day.