Serendipitous Passage

I thought I would live forever 

Death was far but just as real 

This eventuality tucked away 

In a forgotten corner of my mind 

Until….. reality’s rude awakening

My young healthy form

Was stricken ……broken 

The news has yet to sink in

I went through all the motions

Denial, anger, despair and disbelief 

How could I that treated this body 

With care turn up defective…shoddy

At an age when friends 

Were starting and celebrating  family

I was staring in the face of calamity 

Life flashing in front of my eyes 

And I…. holding on desperately 

My oldest….not even in double digits 

And a toddler untouched by grief 

I had no words…did not want words to have to explain 

I was the first to offer help 

And could not accept becoming an invalid…. a burden 

Unable to do the simplest of tasks

Futile attempts to hide behind a courageous mask 

The doctor said that she never lost a patient 

And she wouldn’t lose me either 

Giving me genuine assurance 

That I will beat this cancerous  monster 

Years have passed 

And my heart is filled with gratitude 

And a new found love for fleeting  life 

Coupled with a non judgmental attitude 

One never knows 

The tribulations others face 

Accept every moment with grace 

And a prayer on your lips 

I stop to smell the flowers 

Step out to soak in the rain 

Listen to the cackle of birds 

And feel the warm sunshine 

I have yet to discover 

So many unknowns 

Hidden deep within 

Excitement mingled with trepidation  

I listen to the silent whispers 

When I touch the tall trees 

The soft crunch of autumn leaves 

And the gregarious meandering stream 

The woods comes alive 

The trick is to acknowledge 

We are perfect in our imperfections

As it is meant to be  

This journey is like no other 

An opportunity to rediscover

Forgotten treasures 

Hidden joys in little things 

I watch the seamless transition 

Of spring to summer, merging into fall and winter 

An annual reminder of the cycle of life 

And the journey of all living creatures 

About the author – Seema Ahira

Poetry to me is a calling that I cannot seem to escape. I have rediscovered the joy of writing the past year. It keeps me grounded and definitely allows me to retain my sanity by giving a voice to my feelings, thoughts, joys and agonies.

I take immense pleasure in gardening, watching the birds and critters that grace us with their presence and the long walks my husband and I dutifully take our four-legged child on.