Vicissitudes of Life

 

That which is done

Cannot be undone

But that which is undone

Can be done.

 

Some cards we choose

Some cards life gives

But whether chosen or given

Life’s purpose is to live.

 

We can plan our day

As we so often do

But the “unplanned for” occurs

Before it is through.

 

While time is constant

Not so the vagaries of life,

Events occur when least expected

And therein is the strife.

 

The illness of a friend

The death of a loved one,

An opportunity long hoped for

Then suddenly gone.

 

 

An upsetting diagnosis,

A prognosis not promising

And someone usually dependable

All of a sudden missing.

 

An examination failed,

A job interview flunked

And that “it will get better” maxim

Certainly debunked.

 

The only luck is bad luck

When nothing is going right,

And when such is the reality

Day is the same as night.

 

Promise after promise

Invariably leading to naught,

Afraid to even ask anymore

Feeling quite distraught.

 

No lack of counsel

Though none of it is working

And even when there seems a lull

Something bad is lurking.

 

The vicissitudes of life,

Myriad fluctuations

When even the best intentions

End in total frustration.

 

Why me, the plaintive cry

And why not some other one

Who can cope with all of this

And seamlessly move on?

 

In the school of hard-knocks

The school we call life,

We sometimes feel it’s just us

But all are prone to strife.

 

Life is what it is

Though different for everyone,

Let’s help another less fortunate

For someday we’ll be gone.

 

Stewart Russell © June 1, 2024