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The Cliff

“The only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go.” ~Shannon L. Alder

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Hearts, hammering and hurting
Soundless prayers, begging
Unfamiliar nausea, flooding over
Strength, emerging from the tears

In the distance :
A shrill, piercing screech
striving to tear
through the peripheral traffic.

Another day, Another tragedy,
Another life in the balance.
Another life hanging by the cliff.

Wanting to hoist itself above
when there’s only enough to let go
A combat for another breath
Life, the only war spoil

In the distance :
A fleeting image of an ambulance,
A whizz of sirens defying all odds
A cascade of orisons and hopes.

Another day, Another tragedy,
Another life in the balance.
Another life hanging by the cliff.

Steady then Shaky.
Erratic at best.

A few days ago, I stood by my balcony, talking on the phone. And during that 20 minute phone call I heard 4 ambulances rushing by. That is where I found my inspiration to write this. We are currently surviving in trying times. Things will get better. I am proud of all of us for facing them! More power to us.

P.S I am so sorry for not being able to be up to date with all my reading. I have been busy with exams for the past week.

But I am back now! Looking forward to hearing from all of you and reading more of your amazing pieces!

All my love and hugs to you guys! Stay safe.

76 replies on “The Cliff”

Hi Nawazish, oh thank you! Ahh yes there’s a certain beauty in the fact that sometimes people defy all odds just to live. Thank you for taking the time to read and drop this kind comment! So good to be back. Hope you have a beautiful day. 🌼

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Hi Radhika ma’am, yes indeed. In today’s conditions, I hear about tragedies occurring at all hours of the day. Makes me think about what our world has come to. Thank you so much! Your encouragement means the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you have a wonderful day. 🌹

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Hi Ashish, I am so glad that you could feel the emotions in this one. It is a particularly sensitive topic to write about and so relevant in our times. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! I really appreciate your kind words. Hope you have a wonderful day. 🌹

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Hey Ben, it’s a new word I learned some time ago, too! Came across it in a novel and I was looking to use it in one of my posts. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and drop a comment! Hope you have a perfect day. 🌺

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I’m sure you did great on your exams, Rishika! ❤
This poem is so beautifully written. I love the way you structured it. Flawless!
I love this line – “A combat for another breath”. Wow! Everything about this is amazing. Well done 👏💝

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Hi Wardah, yes I hope so too! Oh, thank you so much. Your comment brought a smile to my face. I am so pleased that you enjoyed reading this post. Yes, it can be really heartbreaking how so many lives have a war with death and escape its clutches and yet it is a source of hope and strength, too. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment and for the smile your comment gave me. Hope you have a lovely day. 🌼❤️

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Very true. It’s so hard to overcome, but by channeling the strength we all have, it can be done.
You’re welcome! Have a fantastic day as well! 💛

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My pleasure my dear Rishika. May you always remain grateful and blessed.

My day is going good. Just had a cup of tea with banana walnut cake, watching rain 🌧 And I do hope your day is going good too 😊💐

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Oh, I love cakes! I baked banana bread a few days ago. Baking is a new thing I took up during the quarantine. Sounds like a beautiful day! It’s not raining here, but it’s very pleasant. Thank you for your wishes! ✨

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I can really understand this one Rishika. My parents, both of being doctors, I listen to their stories each day and how helpless they can be sometimes. Science has its limit. They can only pull a person back from the cliff if sometimes they want it too. Helplessness and negativity are two biggest foes in times like these and they usually recommend meditating to any god the patient reveres. Rewarding it may seem to save a life but it’s very stressful. Even more in these times when they are being subject to isolation. These indeed are trying times. Very well written Rishika. 😇

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Hi Harsh, oh wow I didn’t know you came from a family of doctors. Seeing as they are the heroes and warriors, during this time, say a huge thank you to them from my side. Yes true, willpower and the spirit to fight are very much needed in times like these. Meditation can do wonders! I can not imagine the pressure and burden they must feel at all times of the day. Doctors have become the epitome of strength and goodwill today. I am so happy that you enjoyed this. Thank you for taking the time to read and drop your thoughts. I loved reading them. Hope you have a wonderful day. 🌼

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This was nice: “A cascade of orisons and hopes”. And I really like this: “Unfamiliar nausea”. That is one of those things we have to overcome in this life–that sense of nausea that comes from moving through the ups and downs of time. I appreciate your approach here. Good luck with all your exams!

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Hi Benjamin, I am so delighted that you enjoyed this post! Yes, and sometimes it gets so difficult to fight it, victory looks far fetched and strength diminishes. It’s in those times, that we must keep going on. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I hope you have a perfect day. 🌹

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Hey Harsh, yes it is. Light seems so far away at such times. The metaphorical end of the tunnel never seems to arrive. Haha, I sure hope so too. My marks are going to tell the rest 😂 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you have a perfect day. 🌺

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Don’t you find Ambulance sounds like imbalance?

Life itself is imbalance, nothing is certain, there are some things which is beyond the reach of one and we couldn’t much do anything to that!!
But in short we people can be Helpless but not the hopeless!!🙌😁

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Hi Divyang, yes now that you mentioned it, they do sound similar! Oh yes, word to the wise right here! Hope is what keeps us going when helplessness surrounds us. Thank you for taking the time to read and drop your views. I really enjoyed reading them. I hope you have a lovely day. 🌼

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Hi Prerna, I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement! They always keep me motivated. I am so pleased that you could feel the rhythm of this poem. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you have a joyous day. 🌹

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The inspiration behind this poem suddenly added a new dimension for me after I read it the first time. There is a strange silence in standing at the edge of the cliff, thinking one small slip and you will fall, yet also knowing you are balanced.

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Hi Jaya, yes exactly. The edge is a scary place to be. One moment, it’s calm and serene, the next you’re falling over and there’s nothing you can do. Thrilling, for some. Deadly, for others. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment! I am glad that you had a good read. Hope you have a joyous day. 🌺

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Life hangs by a thread. My late disabled husband said that knowing this truth was an advantage. He used that knowledge to make every day count until he died at 45. Most people are oblivious and tend to waste a lot of the time that they are given.

Beautiful and meaningful poem, Rishika! ❤ Take care, Cheryl

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Hey Cheryl, yes, so many of us forget how delicate life can be. Your late husband sounds like a very wise man. An inspiration, from whom we must learn. To make each moment count, is the goal we should all have, it’s what I hope I am doing.

I am so delighted that you thought so. Always good to hear your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I hope you have a joyous day. 🌼

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Heyy, yes I hope so! Too many tragedies and tons of sorrow blanket our world these days. I really appreciate your kind words and support! So glad to have them. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you have a joyous day. 🌹

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Hi, oh you are so kind! I am delighted that you had a good read and that the emotions resonated with you. Indeed, today we are in a sad and tragical place. But hope is what keeps us strong! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you have a great day. 🌹

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The pleasure is all mine. Awww such a beautiful reply full of life. I connected with your words well. Thankyou and have a great day too

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Hi Smitha, yes exactly. Let’s hope everything gets better soon. Hope is what we can hold on to. I really appreciate your kind words! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I am pleased that you enjoyed it. Have a blessed day. 🌹

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Hey!
Indeed it is. These are difficult and trying times. We must hold on and make it through. It is very heartbreaking to see so many lives fighting and in the balance. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
I hope you have a wonderful day. 🌼

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Hi, it is very sad indeed. A battle for lives everyday, faced by so many.
All we can do, however, is hold on and make it through.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Hope you have a lovely day. 🌹

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Hi, oh you are so kind! I’m pleased you think so. Your comment brought a smile to my face, thank you for that. I really appreciate your encouragement and support. I hope to keep writing pieces you enjoy! Thank you for taking the time to read and the comment. Hope you have a fantastic day. 🌺

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