Life defined, in thousands of languages world over
It often takes a calamity or pandemic
To teach compassion, love, gratitude, contentment…
Sigh!
Flapping its huge wings, in rage(?!)
Descended a virus, to freeze the world!
Heaps and heaps of lives lost!
Food, shelter, career, health, peace
Turned a mirage for many…
Sleepless on bed of thorns, nightmares plenty
Yet…
While the world curses a year
I embrace, hug gently my 2020…
Life taught us to slowdown, to pause
To look around and observe
The struggles we have often failed to notice
From a flower-seller, to the Panipuri vendor
Cotton candy, bangles, earrings
Sweet-smelling fruits, and vegetables sold on the streets
Innumerable souls lost their living
But, I still had food on my plate, a cosy home
A big television screen, to watch the news…
I missed the Sea, walks around the lake, eating out
Roaming around, in sunshine and fresh air
Until I valued my privilege
Of staying home, and safe…
Emotional turbulence, challenges faced
Loved ones suffered, hospital visits scary
Yet
Life taught patience, and faith in darker times
A year that pulled me closer, looked into my eyes and said
“Count your blessings; you are stronger than you think”…
Eyes welled up, I smiled at life
With a new-born hope…
Collecting creating cherishing moments, is what life is all about
As much as I received, in gratitude I gave
Love, kindness, a listening heart to some aching souls
Little acts of compassion, to restore smiles
Giving, is joy!
A year that created more givers, more shoulders
Bringing us all under a single roof of humanity
A year that made the world meet
More artists, unseen talents, and brimming passion
Reiterating the honeyed truth
‘Art is elixir, art sustains life’…
A year, when Nature felt nourished, replenished
Connected people, healed past wounds
Technology being the bridge, like never before…
As the year has almost come to an end
Looking back
Though it aches to see a void, some fog and mist
I believe the world has learnt a huge lesson
“Life is unpredictable, ephemeral
Before it is too late, give more
Forgive more, love more…”
All the chaos taken care of
My heart bows down in gratitude
To the selfless saviours, frontline warriors
While I slowly sipped coffee, cardamom tea, and wrote poetry…
With inexplicable tears, I hold this year
Whisper a ‘sorry’, a heartfelt apology
For all the abuses, curses, and stones pelted by the world
Give a goodbye kiss, with loads of love
As I carry the lessons in my heart
To welcome a beautiful year, waiting to be our Mentor…
About Madhumathi H.
A bilingual poet-writer(Tamil, English), Madhumathi is an ardent lover of Nature, Poetry, Photography, and Music. Her poems are published in Anthologies of The Poetry Society(India), Chennai Poetry Circle, IPC, Amaravati Poetic Prism, and in e-zines UGC approved Muse India, International Writer’s Journal, Storizen, Our Poetry Archives, Positive Vibes, and Science Shore.
Besides Poetry, Madhumathi writes on Mental health, to create awareness and break the stigma, strongly believing in the therapeutic and transformational power of words.
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