Will To Survive

Watch in action exuberance of life
As a toddler starts, stops, and falls,
Slowly but surely learning to walk
Questing ahead in poise of pizzazz
Powered by strength of inner voice
Taking first steps of will to survive,

Oblivious to clutch of circumstance
Sending some kids to refugee camps
Or seeking asylum, walking for miles,

Hope for them is a place to sleep,
Bread to eat, and freedom to live
Cognizant of borrowed air they breathe;
Some will make it, some will die
Some will shine in open blue skies
Flexing tenacity of wings they’ll fly
Like a tiny chick’s daring first flight,

They will rise from burned-out debris
Ascending like forest of new saplings 
Sprouting through the remains of ashes.

When tears of fear grip their lives
Some do fold, yet some stay strong
As life-storms destroy their only path;
Those of fortitude build new bridges
Giving comfort to needy and weak
Taking them safely to the other side.

When spirits cower, afraid of strife
Some resiliently keep dreams alive
Though they know their life’s afire
Trusting new day meeting dark night
Will always glow in ebullient sunrise.

Some succumb to inequities of fate
When despair mounts a colossal fight
Some persevere with innermost strength 
Traversing miles of whatever it takes
Finding promise in flowers and streams
Shedding distress, empowering dreams
Invoking goodwill, believing its call:
Upon every roof some rain must fall.

October 14, 2020
Poem of the day on October 16, 2020
Placed 2nd: Will to survive poetry contest
Sponsor: Silent One

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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12
Date: 3/13/2022 4:30:00 PM
Very good Vijay, a very insightful piece from you Good to see you're persevering.'
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Date: 12/24/2021 3:19:00 AM
"Some resiliently keep dreams alive Though they know their life’s afire Trusting new day meeting dark night Will always glow in ebullient sunrise".How inspirational and full of sagacity ! Each line is worth a quote. When I glance through your poems, I see that either it is a winner in the contest or a POTD. It speaks volumes about your God given gift.... Be always thankful dear Vijay!
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Date: 10/25/2020 1:41:00 PM
A strong sense of survival despite all odds, building strength along the way. Very powerful and so well written, Vijay. Congratulations on all!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/25/2020 2:15:00 PM
Thank you Sandra--much appreciate.
Date: 10/18/2020 1:33:00 PM
I see two awards, one from Silent One and one for POTD. A double congratulations for you, Vijay. well deserved.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/19/2020 6:21:00 AM
Thank you Andrea--much appreciate.
Date: 10/17/2020 2:17:00 PM
Powerful words of endurance and survival, Vijay. Congratulations on your POTD ~ John
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 2:39:00 PM
Thank you John--much appreciate your kind remarks.
Date: 10/17/2020 12:04:00 PM
- Congratulations on your top win, Vijay :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 12:51:00 PM
Much appreciate Anne-Lise--many thanks.
Date: 10/17/2020 10:17:00 AM
it all depends how they receive the rain, as a blessing or a drain, nicely written Vijay, winning wishes are being sent your way today.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 10:21:00 AM
Thank you my friend--much appreciate.
Date: 10/17/2020 7:06:00 AM
Vijay my dear friend, congratulations on POTD - this is a powerful poem - some of us are stronger than others for if we give in, we might as well lie down and die. Be resourceful, be brave, and take all in our stride. Blessings and hugs Vijay. Jennifer.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 10:21:00 AM
Thank you my friend--always appreciate your kind remarks.
Date: 10/17/2020 5:29:00 AM
Survival through the storms of life, Very nicely penned Vijay
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:11:00 AM
Thank you Joseph--much appreciate.
Date: 10/17/2020 2:37:00 AM
An outstanding write...Congratulations Vijay on another POTD...it's a six if you play criket...
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:10:00 AM
Thank you Arturo--much appreciate. Yes--I know what you mean in cricket terms.
Date: 10/16/2020 6:21:00 PM
keep the faith, vijay...it's a long walk to surviving life's trials... congrats on your POTD!... huggs
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:09:00 AM
Thank you Nette--much appreciate.
Date: 10/16/2020 4:39:00 PM
Oh, my! Such a compelling poem that I missed earlier, Vijay. For some of us, faith helps us stay strong, but others do "fold." The last line is sad but true. Poetry sometimes help us find that will to keep fighting. Your poem certainly gives me a new perspective. A fave, of course. Have you published a poetry book? You should! Hugs, Carolyn
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:09:00 AM
You always make my day my friend when you visit. I am honored by your uplifting remarks. Much appreciate, as always, Carolyn. Many thanks. And a very special thank you for the FAVE. I am still learning my friend--not there yet.
Date: 10/16/2020 1:54:00 PM
Love the escape to flowers,streams and dreams,in times of distress..Love the will.to survive ..Love your poem .
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:06:00 AM
So very kind of you. Much appreciate your visit and comments. Many thanks, Charmaine.
Date: 10/16/2020 10:16:00 AM
"Hope for them is a place to sleep, Bread to eat, and freedom to live" so powerful and heartfelt lines! and every single line of your poem to be quoted for its depth and meaning! You "keep the dreams alive" for all those who are denied the right to survive. you keep the torch of Hope ignited into your wonderful poetry as it raises a deeper understanding of a harsh life and evokes the beauty of will to survive! Congratulations on your POTD honour and your outshining win, dear Vijay! A well deserved recognition! My deepest regards and blessings.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:05:00 AM
You always spread cheer on poetry soup with your lovely comments, Besma. I am delighted to read your feedback. Much appreciate, as always. Many thanks. Regards!
Date: 10/16/2020 9:55:00 AM
So I see I was right, congrats on the contest win, and also POTD, you are really proving you are one of the best writers on the soup Vijay, all the accolades prove it, they are well deserved!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:03:00 AM
I am honored to read your kind remarks, John. So special coming from you. Much appreciate--many thanks.
Date: 10/16/2020 5:52:00 AM
An inspirational masterpiece, Vijay! CONGRATS on your well-deserved top win and POTD! Janice
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:02:00 AM
Thank you Janice--much appreciate--always a delight when you visit.
Date: 10/16/2020 3:50:00 AM
Vijay, what a massively uplifting poem.! So many comparable places you reminded us can easily captivate, if we take the chance to breathe and enjoy the experience. Congratulations on your Top Win! - very much deserved.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:01:00 AM
So very kind of you Sigrid. I am happy to read your feedback--much appreciate--many thanks.
Date: 10/15/2020 9:30:00 PM
Congratulation on this wonderful poem being awarded POTD and in the contest Vijay, you so deserve the honour on both. When we first moved into our neighbourhood, sitting at my desk in the study I would often gaze out of the window, a serene scene of beautiful trees and children playing. I would watch these 2 little boys (one a toddler, the other perhaps a year older) from toddler bikes to teenagers on skateboards. Interesting fact was the older one over the years always looked to the younger one for guidance, always that little bit hesitant, definitely not daring, a bit guarded and shy. There are so many lines to your poem that remind me of these two young boys. Some embrace obstacles, some struggle with life's challenges. The young man took his life last year, just days shy of his 21st.Heart breaking. You have captured the gist of the theme brilliantly Vijay. Poetry at its best as always....Maria Hugs
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 6:00:00 AM
Your story tugs my heart my friend--what a sad sad ending to a young life. You certainly made the point aptly with your story. Thank you for your visit, Maria. Much honored by your kind remarks. Many thanks
Date: 10/15/2020 7:43:00 PM
Vijay, congratulations on POTD. So well deserved. Best Wishes~ Warren
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 5:57:00 AM
Much appreciate Warren--many thanks.
Date: 10/15/2020 7:42:00 PM
Superb composition! Congrats on a well deserved win!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 5:57:00 AM
Thank you for your visit and kind remarks--much appreciate.
Date: 10/15/2020 5:42:00 PM
Congratulations Vijay, on Poem of the Day. Your words still hold me close. ~ Brandy
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 5:56:00 AM
Much appreciate my friend, as always--many thanks.
Date: 10/15/2020 4:40:00 PM
Congratulations, Vijay. A well deserved win! ~Angie
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 5:56:00 AM
Thank you Angela--much appreciate.
Date: 10/15/2020 3:55:00 PM
Congratulations on POTD.Hugs Eve
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/17/2020 5:55:00 AM
Thank you Eve--much appreciate.
Date: 10/15/2020 3:07:00 PM
Stunning write, Vijay!:-) Heartiest congratulations on your win and p.o.t.d. recognition!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/15/2020 3:35:00 PM
Very special my friend--coming from you--many thanks, Edward--much appreciate.
Date: 10/15/2020 3:04:00 PM
Congratulations to you for having written a potd, Vijay.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 10/15/2020 3:34:00 PM
Much appreciate Jenna--many thanks.
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