I asked the dawn: "Where is the dewdrop that wet my lips last night and was suddenly gone before the sunrise?"
The dawn smiled: 'It's in the lightness of breezes and fragrance of flowers."
I asked breezes and flowers: "What is the color of my love that shall never fade?"
The breezes and flowers whispered: "It's the color of the Spring that is dancing on the hills."
I asked the hills: "How many more peaks and valleys on my path before I reach the blue sky?"
The hills echoed: "As many as you can endure until your inner and outer strengths lift you high."
I asked the sky: "Why did the most innocent eyes, that are as pure as you, have to see the agony of death?"
The sky wept: "The eyes of the innocent see beyond death – they see the ocean."
I asked the ocean: "Where is the vastness of your mercy now that I only taste the bitterness in you?"
The ocean sighed: "Without bitterness, how would you know the sweetness of joy?"
Finally, I asked God: "What is the happiness of life when it is full of tribulation?"
God answered: "The meaning of life is rejoicing in the face of adversity."
-- Dedicated to my friend Jennifer and others who face the great difficulties in life with amazing strength and grace.
Copyright (c) 2006 Helen Wang A Taste for Good Life


Comments: 22
I have always admired you for your business savvy, worldly knowledge, and physical beauty...And while I know you also have tremendous courage, what this poem does so wonderfully, is that it demonstrates you are also an amazing writer with a warm and giving heart. For you have so eloquently defined that courage, and have packaged it up in a beautiful inspiring gift for your friends....I am in awe!
Bonnie, Thank you so much for your very kind comment. When you see the trial time in life, sudden loss of the loved one, beautiful young children witnessing death, you would wonder why all these are happening?! It made me to reflect the meaning of life....
Thanks, everyone else, for your comments.
Memorable.
"The meaning of life is rejoicing in the face of adversity."... very true.
cheers!