It came in the peak of summer
that most optimistic time, when
sunshine equates with health
and bodies glow with exertion
fit and in their prime – it came
with all the fury of a winter blast
harsh and cold and unyielding –
wrestling me from my complacency
annihilating vibrancy, self-definition
de-leafed, rendering me raw, exposed.
I clung to the darkness, blanketed
against the harshness of light,
the impossibility of sound, or scent –
was de-shelled, ungrounded, ravaged
by volatile nerves and misfiring impulses
praying for the certainty of death…
but it is spring that follows winter
and in time, restlessness set in –
the dogged whine of hope willing
my mind to stretch, my body to try
spirit, tired of withdrawal, pushed
against the wall of dysfunction,
bolstered by a shifting acceptance
found roots in an unspoken faith
and I felt possibility, like a tiny sprout
reaching for the sunshine,
ventured out of my cocoon –
still alive! Redefining purpose –
still precarious, highly vulnerable
but optimistic for the return of summer.
(Rebirthing first appeared on One Woman’s Quest II March, 2018. Image my own)
One Woman's Quest 
We do love our spring – great poem!
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Yes! Thank you
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VJ, you have a lovely reading voice. A well-crafted metaphor beautifully articulated and expressed.
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Thanks so much, Michele
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You’re welcome, VJ. I enjoy your poetic voice, what you write and speak.
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I can relate so much to your poem. Thanks for sharing your gift of words with us.
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Thanks Sabra. I know you too have struggled to carry on
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This is a great poem, wonderfully written and full of hope and rebirth just as Spring follows Winter!
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I loved your reading of the poem as well. You have a great reading voice for poetry.
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Thanks so much. I always think it is a shaky, old voice, lol
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Not at all! It was very pleasant to listen to!
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Thanks!
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You are welcome.
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Lovely poem, VJ. My mom’s favorite season was spring; she smiled more, laughed more, hugged more. Every year when buds and sprouts appear, I think of her.
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What a beautiful example of the joy of Spring. Thank you.
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And thank you for eliciting sweet memories.
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😊
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Ah, thank you for such a life-affirming poem today.
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I’m glad it translated that way, Liz.
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Oh, it did!
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Wonderful write, VJ.
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Thank you, Jeff
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You’re welcome, VJ.
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Spring has a way of helping us root ourselves again, very much like a young sprout! I really like this poem.
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Thank you Heather.
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You’re welcome.
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“like a tiny sprout reaching for the sunshine…..” Whilst we can see or sense those tiny sprouts there is indeed always hope. Thank you for another beautiful poem and image. 🙂
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Appreciate your visits Janet. 😘
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It is so magical to hear your voice VJ. In your poetry and out loud. You had my heart at hello. Love how you go so deep in your poetry. We are all along for the ride. May April Bring RE-BIRTH to us all. REACHING FOR THE SUNSHINE with you.
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Amen to that. It is has been a challenging Winter for sure. Thank you
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I’m really glad you rebirthed this one here, VJ. Thanks
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Thanks Ron
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Life is like that, VJ. Sometimes we get blindsided. I’m so glad you found your way back! I’m sure this very inspiring poem has helped others to do the same.
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I hope so. Thank you
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