6 a.m.
For G.
By Yu Fang
6 a.m. Awake for the moon’s humbling
Before the early dawn, eyelids flutter.
Struggle. Tire and droop. Kindly refraining
From the morn as the soul’s windows shutter
Between 6 and 8 a.m., a short break.
The intermission of my leaden limbs,
ragged breathing, and me declining cake,
with a mouth slack on the coffee cup’s rim
But I shall bow my head in solemn thanks
For my life has been blessed and my heart full
And despite these pains, if I may be frank,
Altogether, I find it quite fruitful
My writings chronicle these endless tales
This long, incredible journey of mine
Where one will find, though the storms assail
Blissful moments aplenty throughout time
Like my daughter, with her own part to play
Throughout this saga of lifelong journeys
Each step with her a story to convey
Of challenges and triumphs - joys and pains
And of grace, with my love of God's design
Where between the grand notes of His worship
are my songs, for God, and souls intertwined
In Christ and familial kinship
Let my hymns, my writings, my dog-eared books
Be a testament to lifelong delight
Where between the pains and time forsook
Are friends and family, our bonds tight.
Author's Note:
Sometimes, as G has shared, her eyes cannot open in the morning. Nor could she eat. Or breathe. Her condition of Myasthenia Gravis — the weakening of the muscles — was invisible to everyone else. The exhaustion, both mental and physical, that she had faced was immense. Yet, she ardently expressed her hope, love for her family, and gratefulness towards life, finding strength in her faith and in writing, finding support from her loved ones. She adjusted to the exhaustion, seeing how it is like and planning around it (the specific metaphor she used was a battery; having to see how long her battery can last every day). This drive was something I found incredible, and I wished to convey her dedication towards her religion and family in her poem, alongside her experiences. I hope by reading this, readers will feel the joy that exists in G and the gratefulness she wishes to express towards every aspect of her life.