Who are you, really?
If I kneel reverently before your altar
Will you unveil to me your plan?
If I walk until my feet are broken and bloodied,
To a holy land far away,
Will you show me my purpose?
If I prostrate myself before the relics of your saints,
Will you allow me to know my fate?
If I whisper to you under the serenity of night,
My hands folded before me in supplication,
Will you reveal yourself to me?
How can I know the light of your face?
Your knowledge reaches out through eternity like a vast ocean,
And I hold a teaspoon in my hand

Writer's Statement: ​As a high-school student caught up in the frenzy of everyday work and college preparation, I used this essay as an opportunity to reflect on life. Upon reflection, I realized that people, including myself, get lost in the chase of “perfect” happiness or “perfect” success. We lose so much of our selves- our individuality, unique qualities, and singular personalities- during the chase that once we obtain “perfect,” we are no longer our true selves. I wrote this essay in order to emphasize that who we are as individuals should always take precedence over who we should become as members of a society. We are our most valuable asset, and this is a fact that I will always keep in mind as I continue my life journey.