To my Younger Self

Dreams once whispered through the night 

Now emerge from the shadows and take flight.

Togas worn and caps in hand,

On this grand stage, you are called to stand.

My younger self, a dreamer with a heart aglow,

Crafting a world from a vision you hoped to know.

With every page turned and every wish sown,

You’ve built a foundation where a future has grown.

Once a freshman heading towards the gates with just a dream,

Striving to leave a mark and turn fantasy to be real

Plagued by fears and torn at life’s crossroads,

A balance of joy and sacrifice, victory and loss.

Despite the hasty deadlines and demands that reigned,

The sleepless nights and anxiety that wove a relentless, pulsing strain,

You weathered every storm and stood your ground,

And in the end, emerged triumphant, with true resilience found.

This moment’s yours, a treasured prize

Born from each struggle, triumph, tear, and smile

And as the chapter closes, know that the sacrifices of the past

Were the means of a future built to last.

So here’s to the past, and the future you see,

To the person we were, and all we’ll ever be,

Under the spotlight, with courage and pride,

Towards open and boundless skies, we strive.