I Tried

My mom looked up at me, her eyes were moist.

I tried to muster a smile, as beneath the victory stand I stood, the victor up had been hoist

As the overwhelmed crowd slowly scattered,

I suddenly saw my dream shattered,

I don’t know how distraught I was, how much I cried,

But through the veil of my tears, I looked at my mom, ‘I tried’

 

I don’t know what I hadn’t sacrificed for my goals,

But my aspirations were low, and as dark as coals

I forgot I was human, I could love, I could allow myself indulgences

But it was no use, my world collapsed, owing to my ignorance

 

I tried getting back up, as I had heard had to be done,

But couldn’t stop myself from sprawling further, I gave in to mockery, jests and fun.

As I lay upon my back, glancing at my future, all dark, murky and fried,

I didn’t know how I could face my mother, tell my mom, ‘Maa, I tried’

 

I gave everything up for my goal, my passions, aspirations,

Even my real goal, which had never seen daylight, hidden all along, behind my perspiration

I never imagined I would ever be in that position, after all the effort I had put in,

To stand so helplessly; alone, to croak out the words, ‘I tried’, after all, I am not a box of wires, coated in tin

 

I debated if being a ladder rung for others up the stairs to success had been my life’s purpose all along,

When I had pretended, to be battling life, as a lad, all courageous and strong

As I saw myself losing my battle, mirth by agony replaced, all hope died,

But how could I yell out to the world, ‘I tried’

 

My fellows had looked up to me, boasted out loud to whoever would listen, foretold my capabilities,

It weighed down upon me; I was not up for such responsibility

Through my life as I was patted and thumped upon my back,

My mom stood silently by, smiling, just the dazzling way she does,

Momentarily, I forgot what I was born to do, to give her a life

Save her, rescue her, from life’s eternal strife,

That day, as she held back her tears, masked by that same encouraging smile,

The guilt within was overpowering, and I mouthed, ‘I tried’

 

My failure didn’t weigh me down, as did the dejection all around,

There was no celebration as had been the nights before, our hopes, had run aground.

No one asked me for excuses, but it was too much for me,

After all, I am 15 years old,

I broke down as the walls caved in, ‘I tried’

 

As I woke up startled, bolt upright upon my bed; from this sudden realization

My mom’s gentle hand broke away all contemplation.

She asked me, what it was that was troubling me

And as I looked into her eyes, tears welled up, as an ocean churned within me,

That day, I vowed, silently to myself, I wouldn’t let you down, as over and over I had cried,

I’d never give myself the chance, to ever have to say, ‘Mom, I tried’

Reviews

[R Smith]

an epic poem of life's struggles, all we can do is try and hope the success will follow, if you continue along this path of writing i believe you will find such success, some refinement to the flow and length of line maybe and i forecast top poetry my friend :)

[Arjun Singh]

Thnx a lot sir, I'll surely implement ur advice.... :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad and beautiful story in the poetry.
"And as I looked into her eyes, tears welled up, as an ocean churned within me,
That day, I vowed, silently to myself, I wouldn’t let you down, as over and over I had cried,
I’d never give myself the chance, to ever have to say, ‘Mom, I tried’"
I believe the mother love you if you succeed or fail. A undying love. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[shardha sharma]

wonderful!
full of emotions,depicts the struggle of life.
keep it up :)

[sereenaoutloud]

This is more of an essay, but a great write !!

[andrew mitchell]

A nice write more of a story to me than a poem but good all the same

[Arjun Singh]

Thnk u, I'll try n improve!

[Solitaireman]

Arjun,
Your poetry is unique. I find myself intrigued. If I may make a small suggestion, when I compose my poems, I read them aloud to see how they flow. Does this sound like a possibility? Keep up the good work.

[Arjun Singh]

Surely sir, thnx fr ur suggestions, i'll improve!