once a dreamer

i never thought i'd win. well, it was the thrill of a lifetime when they called out my name! i felt everything(i mean all my doubts and fears) drown into a heap of coal when i stepped up on stage. it was one of those moments i will never forget. i went home that night feeling hopeful of a new era in my life where i could express myself freely. but later that night after my sister took pictures of me holding my plaque of recognition, i suddenly felt empty... questions of what and why roamed my mind... i began to ask myself, "is that all you've got?", and "is this how far you can go?". that's when i made up my mind that i will aim for the best no matter what-not for the applause, not for the glory, not for the respect i'd get, not for honor, not for the trophy, not for the hugs and pats on the back, not for words of congratulations, not for the expectations of many, not for the win, but for the satisfaction of having been a part of the word "success" even through the thing called literature.