What did you do with your life, what did you do?

Inspired by my friend and fellow writer, I used this line from Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz's poem, "Capri" to write my own poem: What did you do with your life, what did you do? It's a question with an ever-changing answer, so I look forward to re-visiting it at different times in my life. Thank you, Helen, for issuing the challenge!

What did you do with your life?
What did you do?

 Did you face your demons, slay them, and send them back to the hell from which they were unleashed? 

 Did you lift a friend up with encouraging words, supporting her through an awful time, only to find you needed to heed your own sage advice?

 Did you fiercely protect your time, the time you needed to do things important to you, even when life tried to steal it from you?

 Did you strap on your armor against the evils of the world--the hate, the absurdity, the pain, the suffering--and win one battle--no matter how small--to counteract it?

 Did you take the time to thank the creator for bestowing countless gifts on you--your creativity, your family, your dear friends, the natural things and manmade things that enrich your life? 

 Did you dare do some soul-searching, afraid of what you would find but willing to dig deep nonetheless?

 Did you still your mind long enough to hear answers to your prayers, ones that you were oblivious to despite them being so obvious?

 Did you share a smile with a stranger, one who looked unfriendly and unhappy and get a smile in return?

 Did you take a morning walk, looking desperately for something to capture in a photo, finding nothing physical, but returning with a sense of relaxation and ease that carried you through the remainder of the day?

 Did you share your gift of creativity and maybe inspire others in the process?

 Did you finally stop procrastinating on mundane tasks and chores, choosing instead to get them done, get them out of your way?

 Did you care for someone who is ailing, expecting it to feel like a chore but instead leaving with a whole new sense of compassion and a heightened understanding?

 Did you watch the pink glow of the sun setting behind the clouds, letting it wrap around you like a gentle hug, letting its rosy hue kiss you good night? 

 Did you tell the person sitting next to you that you love him?

 What did you do with your life?
What did you do?

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