Runner up…!

After all the efforts and all the sweat

Post all the hard work that you were sincerely at

After attempting to achieve with all your might

Post dreaming about the end and getting the prize

Often living the winning moment in your dreams as well

Holding the trophy gloriously as if under a spell 

Going over it in your mind to what you’ll say

How much will you smile, how fast will be your gait

After all the restlessness and all the shivers

Post all the sleepless nights and the anxious quivers

You attempt your best shot and give it all you have

Your last shout of effort, and it’s all over in a flash

You wait anxiously to see if you’ve won

You wait to hear the words “You’ve done it! You’re the one!”

But what you get is “good but not enough”

You’re not the winner, only the runner up! 

There – but not nearly

The gap – costs you dearly

Missed it – but how!

Tell me – what now!

You might do it all over again

Though it sounds so unsteady

After all the efforts went in vain

What’s the guarantee!

The words ring and linger on

The moment which you dreamt of is now gone

Good – but not enough

Not a winner – only a runner up!