A Privilege To Be Here [revised] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

While researching terms and turns of phrase chewing
everything within reach I’m suddenly amazed how
privileged I am to have problems as part of my life;
yesterday enjoying the hilarity of my spouse and son,
today my colleagues as they smile with me at life

Realising they help me stay afloat in ice-floe streams,
each problem tamed as they boost me to the top and
translation done – find delight in heat by spraying my
face, the water keeps my skin clean with the problem
cementing our friendship as a topic for conversation

At home I couldn’t sit alone wishing for someone to
talk to while suffering a translation – administration
here is even fun: agreement, assessment, evaluation;
I don’t regard it hardship, it fills me with elation when
I consider it a great privilege to be here!


[EARLIER THE DAY: ]

I’m Left Behind

Staring at the mess in front of me, changes requested on
assessment document, senior’s explanations making no
sense, finished translation to be checked, assessment
calculator an inexplicable mystery

Headache already in place, overheating in the autumn
sun, feeling misery and no escape, I didn’t prepare for
the driver’s seat thus I’m left behind by this speeding
blue Monday – galloping like a wild horse

I’m not ready for all this, Monday preparation fell foul –
scalp shrinking and brain swelling, a brilliant sensation
but not conducive to good performance in the office,
which is steadily growing warmer

Depressed by overwhelming odds I cannot get into my
stride, sitting here staring at the mess

6 May 2013