‘Ego of the hearted man’: Poem by  Bhurbhav Agarwal, Apeejay School, Kharghar

I wore my heart like morning dew,
Soft, trembling, honest and crystal true.
But ego came like armor’s gleam,
And wrapped me in a colder dream.
It whispered, ‘Strength is not to feel’
Then sealed my chest with tempered steel.
My heart, a lantern growing dim
Outshone by ego’s polished brim.
I learned to bow, to boast, to lead,
But buried every quiet need.
The more I craved a soul to share,
The more I breathed conditioned air.
And though the crowd would clap and cheer,
I missed the pulse I used to hear.
Not of applause or flashing pride
But just my heart, still warm inside.
So now I seek the gentle art:
To wear not masks, but a beating heart.

Bhurbhav Agarwal
Class: 10
Apeejay School, Kharghar