Laziness lies in silken shade,
Whispering dreams that never wake.
It buries ambition in velvet graves—
A silent thief, for comfort’s sake.
Anger blazes like a storm,
Burning bridges once so wise.
It scorches the lamp of wisdom’s form,
And blinds the clear-eyed skies.
Fear, that trembling phantom knight,
Steals the daring from our sleep.
It slays dreams before they take their flight,
And binds the soul too deep.
Ego, crowned in hollow gold,
Mocks the truth with noisy pride.
It stunts the sapling that might grow old—
Growth withers where it lied.
Jealousy walks in others’ shoes,
But never finds a proper fit.
It murders peace with borrowed blues,
And drinks from envy’s spit.
Then doubt, the quiet skeptic’s song,
Knits its noose of what-ifs tight.
It strangles confidence all along,
And dims the inner light.
But hush, dear heart—reverse the tale,
Walk backward through this shadowed vale:
Let confidence undo doubt’s snare,
And rise with wings to clearer air.
Let peace outshine the jealous flame,
And free your soul from petty blame.
Let growth dethrone the stubborn ego,
And lead you where the wise seeds go.
Let dreams confront the masked old fear,
And blaze a trail both bold and clear.
Let wisdom cool the fires of rage,
And ink your thoughts upon life’s page.
Let ambition rouse from sloth’s repose,
And break the chains that comfort chose.
For every killer named above,
There waits a cure: a choice, a shove—
The path is yours, both night and day.
Read right to left.
Then walk that way.
-Gautam Jha
