I thought myself independent,
Free, like a bird that soars.
Alas, I am dependent, like a caged bird
That is fed each day.
I thought myself invincible,
Powerful, who can conquer the world.
Alas, I am vincible, as a victim
Subdued by his perpetrator.
I thought myself ingenious,
Clever enough to solve any challenge.
Alas, I am an imbecile to think that
I can solve anything, anytime.
I thought myself unafraid,
Of failure, loneliness and death.
Alas, I am terrified from just the thought
Of failing, dying, even living.
I thought myself immortal,
Able to cheat death and live eternally.
Alas, I am mortal, fragile enough
To snap into two like a rotted twig.
I am only human;
A weak, dependent, foolish human,
Put on earth, imprisoned in time,
Tortured each day by a ‘thing’ called life.
Common experiences of failure, abuse,
Accident and fight draining my vitality.
Merciless claws of fear, worry, sorrow
And pain strangling the soul within me.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A wonderful juxtaposition of opposites! Alas, we are all only human....it is in finding the 'truth' that we have any hope of being set free....perhaps not in this life but in the one to come. Keep being courageous and write. Ruth.