Reaching Poem by Claudia Krizay

Looking upward toward the sky
I cannot envision the sun
On this day that I foresee no destiny-
Branches of trees overshadow and
In spite of the clouds and these branches that
Block my view of the morning's sky-
I can feel that I am being watched-

Looking toward the sky, I wonder if it is
God's eyes that are upon me-
Even though I have never believed in a deity-
I can feel power of threatening glances.
Every move I make, every word I speak-
In spite of the splendor and magnificence others have deemed this world to be
I still foresee no destiny-

Reaching toward the sky,
I feel as if I am walking a pathway without an end-
Listening to voices rising from nowhere-or are they coming from inside of my mind?
As the rain has begun to fall, I wonder, shall it wash away any hopes I once had-
Hopes for a brighter future?

In a moment of contemplation I recall my mother joyfully singing in the rain, while
I now foresee a silver gate opening before me-although opening to an unfamiliar place-
I also recall my mother saying "Your life is what you make of it"
Therefore I begin to see that the whole world ahead is my destiny-

I begin singing in the rain myself of the magnificence of these woodlands, and of
The choices I have begun to see that this world has in store for me-
I still cannot envision the sun but I feel an upsurge of hope break open from within and
Hope is the torch that shall enlighten my path towards freedom- as
The sun creeps up on the horizon as it rises above mountains of clarity….