Gazing at the ebony sky, lit by the twinkling stars,

My eyes reflected the melancholy hidden in my soul, somewhere afar,

I was confined to my small wheelchair, my heart was sunken too,

I was lamenting over my destiny, pondering over the days I rued,

Merriness and joy were all faded memories of long ago,

Of the time before that accident, which turned me into my own shadow,

My heart was once aflutter with glassy hope, now it is shattered too,

The dew drops of hope have melted like winter bringing its gloom. 

One morning I saw a little boy, just a speck under the turquoise sky,

He ran around joyfully, glee glinting like rays of the sun from his eyes,

He halted as he touched my knee, just as I had begun to wail and wish,

“God! I would have been able to run and dance too, but you left me to perish!”

As these thoughts raced in my mind, an old lady called out to me,

“Forgive me dear, my son ran into you for he can’t see.”

I was overcome by a strange feeling, it may be compassion, for all I know,

I felt blessed as a tiny hint of cheer crept through me, instead of sorrow.

As evening came along, a melody of words drifted to my ears,

I was shaken into the present for the tune moved me to tears,

I shifted a little and tried to find the source of this unusual euphony,

“How lucky you are that God has gifted you a beautiful voice, young lady!”

My heart melted in that moment for the girl couldn’t hear me,

Yet, she was so content with bringing joy to others with her melody,

I was overcome with gratitude, now my suffering didn’t seem so great,

I felt blessed for I carried much less misery, much less weight.

Nightfall came and I chanced upon a lad- he was fit and fine,

Two legs, blue eyes, a pair of ears to hear- a life different from mine,

He gazed into the distant, I wondered what he was looking at,

“The stars” he said mournfully, “that’s where they both live, both mom and dad.”

I knew just then that he was aching inside- he too wasn’t fit and fine, 

“You are blessed to have a family” he said, “a life different from mine.”

A strange thought crept through my mind and I began to wonder,

“Am I truly blessed to have a family, eyes and ears?” I pondered.

Gazing at the twilight sky, I felt mixed emotions surge through my veins,

A silent prayer escaped from my lips, I felt both gratitude and shame.

I began to utter, “I have a pair of eyes to see this wondrous landscape”,

“I can hear the birds sing for I’m not limited or chained”,

“I can overcome any obstacle or barrier that may come my way”,

“God has indeed blessed me with a special life,” I realised today.

Count your blessings and make the life you have a paradise,

Write yourself the most extraordinary destiny from the most ordinary life.