Yesterday marked the ninth anniversary of my mom’s passing. She had been ill for a few months prior, so it wasn’t a surprise, and the truth is there have been eight other anniversaries. Nonetheless, the gloom does tend to set in this time of year, especially because the anniversary of my dad’s passing was just two weeks ago. It is hard not to get lost in memories and feel a little melancholy when these dates arrive. Here is a blog post featuring the poem Anniversary from my fourth book, “Sow Seeds of Wisdom” which illustrates that not all anniversaries are moments to toast in celebration (https://thepracticalpoet.com/anniversary-from-sow-seeds-of-wisdom/). But I know like with all things, this too shall pass, and neither parent would want or appreciate me or my siblings wallowing in sorrow or self pity.
In my third book, “Gather Seeds of Hope,” there is a poem called “Have you Ever . . .” which mentions different scenarios most of us have experienced at some point: getting some unexpected cash and then something breaking down; running out in our sweatpants and seeing an ex or someone we would rather not see when we’re dressed in our very casual clothes; leaving an umbrella behind and getting caught in a rainstorm. These are all very minor situations in the grand scheme, and the point was that even though we may feel like we have a black cloud over our head sometimes, most of the time I’m guessing life is pretty decent. Typically, when these things happen, we write it off as a bad day, and hope tomorrow will be better. And it usually is.
I was reminded of this next poem where the woman is feeling a little more run-down and disheartened by some of the misfortune she’s been experiencing, as it has continued on for several days. You can almost hear in her words how it’s impacting her. She begins to question what message the universe is trying to send to her, and what lessons she’s supposed to be learning from this streak of bad luck. Sometimes we feel as if the universe, or some kind of higher power, is trying to get our attention and redirect us to a different path. That may be the case, or sometimes bad luck is just bad luck, and we have to be grateful for the good in life and wait for the hardship to move on, as it usually does.
This Too Shall Pass
I woke up to a storm today;
My window wet with rain.
This is the third day in a row
That it’s pouring once again.
I say a hopeful whisper
For the sky to turn to blue.
But I’ve survived the rain before,
And I’ll survive this too.
As I was leaving with hands quite full,
My heel caught on the stair.
I caught myself before I fell
But things spilled everywhere.
I grumbled to myself
As I felt my mood turn blue.
But I’ve survived bad days before,
And I’ll survive this too.
I hope to hear from him today.
It’s been one week without a word.
We used to talk for hours,
So this silence feels absurd.
I’ve heard rumors that he has moved on,
But I’m not sure if it’s true.
I’ve survived heartbreak before,
And I’ll survive this too.
Today, while doing some shopping,
My credit card was declined.
I felt ashamed and embarrassed
As I left my goods behind.
There was some stuff I needed,
But I didn’t know what to do.
I’ve survived being broke before,
And I’ll survive this too.
I know it might not seem like much,
These problems that I mention.
But it seems as if the universe
Is trying to garner my attention.
I am not sure of the message
The universe is sending.
I’m trying to stand up strong,
But I admit my will is bending.
I try to have faith in my beliefs
And trust in my conviction
That things will work out as they should,
As I deal with all this friction.
I know that joy is out there,
But it seems beyond my reach.
I try to have faith in lessons
The universe wants to teach.
I think there is a plan for me;
In fact I know it’s true.
I’ve had doubts, yet I’ve survived,
And I’ll survive this too.
For really all that I can do
Is my very best to strive
To put on my bravest face,
And be thankful I’m alive.
-K.A. Bloch-
