A poem by:

Soma Ali

How do I live in a world of sudden darkness?

What happened to the light which brightened my life?

How do I live without seeing the beauty of nature?

How do I live without seeing a beautiful smile?

*    *   *

Why do my hands explore everything that lies before me?

Why do my fingers trace shapes so delicately?

How could my ears recognize every sound that surrounds me?

How could I sense that someone is smiling?

*    *   *

How do I know that someone is standing near me?

How do I picture shapes without knowing what they look like?

How would I know that the sun is orange without ever seeing it?

How do I know that the Sky is blue when I’ve never seen it?

*    *   *

I really don’t know the answer!

But I really must keep on going.

Note:

This poem has been submitted for this year’s Canadian Schools Poetry Contest. And it has been chosen to be included in the top group of entries received in the contest. Now the poem will go forward into the final competition to be judged in Spring/2006 with a chance of winning the prize for the best poem from the region.

This poem will be published in Summer’s Magic Moments at the end of May/2006.