Success an’ success d’estime is kent in measured ways

At what o’ clock the limitless unfolds its fleeting rays?

Its glow is marked wi’ clarity, the weight o’ your intent

A moment’s gift tae cherish—but it maun be earned, nae lent

Yet something lacks if ye’ve nae learned the habit o’ the grind

Tae pore o’er plans, tae cram, tae crack the tests set for the mind

 

Success is gained in quiet steps, wi’ steady focus clear

A program built on timely acts, nae cause for neither doubt nor fear

It rises in the exurb’s calm, in city’s bustling lock

Whaur constancy aye walks wi’ those wha pace around the clock

The urban flow, the rural still, both mark their destined ways—

It’s toil, nae tricks, that sets the course for all life’s winning plays

 

Some moments o’ success d’estime arrive when nicht is black

The quiet hours frae AM’s calm tae PM’s shadowed track

At other times, it seems tae fade, replaced by dark despair

As though the hour is scheduled late, nae room for joy tae spare

But even in the boxing ring, wi’ fist tae glove ye stand

Its trust an’ courage, borne o’ luve, that shapes the task at hand

 

Wi’ patience, second chances rise tae sculpt what’s still unique

An’ betterments are bettered yet by meeting life’s critique

It’s void tae dodge or shirk the load tae shield frae ridicule—

For critical success depends on work’s unyielding rule

Success awaits at some o’ clock; it knocks for those who hear

Its chroneme spins its golden threads when effort’s path is clear

 

The clock ticks on, the seconds call, a multitude tae ken—

Whaur time and hope entwine their fates, success reveals its men

Judge’s comments: Reading this poem reminded me of watching a horse almost escaping its rider, as in the opening two lines: Success an’ success d’estime is kent in measured ways/At what o’ clock the limitless unfolds its fleeting rays. It also combined the old and the new in ingenious ways as in the line: The quiet hours frae AM’s calm tae PM’s shadowed track.