Coming Of Age

It's December, again!

Outside, it's humid and cold,

The raindrops of last night sparkle on my window,

I stare out, and I see Simba,

My German shepherd, patrolling my verandah like a Roman centurion,

I grin at the simplicity of the canine world.

A few months ago, I lost my adored mother, the stronghold of my world and my happiness.

At my lowest level, a former classmate thrusted a brown and black puppy in my arms,

And he went off, whistling to himself. 

In the beginning, I had no idea what to do with this furry friend. 

Like magic, the puppy licked my hand and ran circles around me.

It was oblivious to my sadness.

I got out of my chair and pulled out a saucer and poured him some strawberry yogurt.

After Simba had slurred the yoghurt and he slipped into a quiet corner and snoozed happily.

For the first time, I felt happiness and but also sleeplessness.

My body was overweight and tired.

With Simba growing fast in my life, I ran every morning, as he followed closely. 

After every finish, he runs off, sniffing toads, mushrooms and snails in the eucalyptus forest. 

As the midlife crisis seeps into the life of a man, his world becomes a turmoil. 

His friends begin to lessen by the hour,

This is where Simba made an impact on my life.

I'm thrilled to have this second chance at life, 

I've been reading and writing more.

I don't feel detached from my own reality.  

As a poultry farmer, Simba has driven a number of chicken thieves and small rodents off our property.

Standing by my window today, watching the raindrops drip out of the window,

It reminds me of life's voyage!

A raindrop is like life itself,

It stays on the glass for some time,

Then, it ebbs away as if it was never there. 

I care about those little things in my life now and, I suppressed everything that made me sad.