I have weathered storms,

and dreamt about big waves.

I have survived hardships known to man.

I have climbed deep mounts

and have risen from near death.

But nothing could prepare me,

not even in my books,

to this sudden awakening,

to this given life.

For being alive,

and all that it implies

has turned out

to be

the ultimate

passage

that

I cannot

longer deny.