Found
by Yuvraj Mimani, India. Third place in the Writory International Poetry Contest, January 2026, scored 94 out of 100.
Nought a place the heart had not lurked, Nay a single path unsought. The rewards of love is in the drought, And when thy halt the search, tis then in the web of destiny thine is caught. Strangest of site may deliver the brightest of light, Where ye expect the least, fate begins its fight. Strangest of people may deliver the fondest of evocations, In souls thou did not think to peek is where peace you find. Strangest of words may deliver the soothest of impressions, In voices thou did not care to listen is where the noise you leave behind. Oh dear bestow thy trust upon these perilous words of mine, When the one befitting such magnificence comes along, Grasp their hand forever long. And if thou still refuse to believe in such tales of old, Come with me on a journey untold. There once was a princess as beautiful as none. Captivating was her hair, black in the shade and auburn in the sun, It brushed against her shoulders as it twisted and spun. Enchanting was her eyes, like a snowy mountain as it shone. Her nose as if sculpted by Hephaestus himself, For no one else could even dream to hone. Her lips capable of destroying even the greatest of elf, Her glory such that even Aphrodite would groan. I, an ordinary stable boy, Unbeknownst to the almighty's ploy. Fell in love with the princess I did. Intimidated I was, her beauty vivid, Yet a leap of faith I took, Shattered, I was with her lethal look. Again a tumble of courage did bloom, For hope can lighten the darkest of gloom. And even as the heart started to faint, The mind prevailed as I went up her gate. Knocked at it with the last of my strength, Her skin glittered, the night sky illuminate. She spoke not words but stars and flame, In that moment I felt no shame. For how can a man not fall for such divinity? Words poured out my heart, now devoid of scrutiny. And by some miracle from the heavens above, The princess returned the stable boy’s love! In her arms, I had myself whole, 'Twas not my body, but my soul she stole. In her laughter lay my peace long lost, At last, my wretched heart had shed its frost. And perhaps the princess felt the same, For so she swore, and so she claimed. With her my thoughts were finally calmed, Her voice was like my body's balm. In her being I am forever bound, It was indeed love, for love is not chased, love is found.
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