Listening To The Melody

I love to fall sick, at least once in a while

Not because I can stay away from work for a while

Not because I get the attention of the entire family

It has nothing to do with my hatred for my job either

I love watching in the morning through the window from my sick bed

As the downy woodpecker dashes the window pane with a gentle thud

Soon comes in the sunlight passing through the horn beam tree

As the studious woodpecker bird starts its acrobatic pursuits on the tree

I love the downy woodpecker even as it never sings like the cuckoo

However, its drumming against the wood always brings a sweet echo

It would keep on with its drumming till its male partner flies in with cheer

Bearing a twig with blue berries on it to feed its beloved mate

Soon the street side wears a hectic look as people go crazy

As morning walkers, job goers and moving vehicles make the place noisy

When I look back after a few moments wondering at the busy street

The loving twosome leaving their work unfinished would vanish from my sight

A major advantage of falling sick is it makes me pause for an instance

From the busy schedule that transforms me into a mechanical device

And appreciate the beauty around me like a human being

Whose life purpose calls for doing something beyond the usual thing

I listen to my heart and inner voice when I lay on bed sick

I appreciate the beauty around me by identifying myself with a budding leaf

And a downy woodpecker trying to carve its nest on a tree

I realise as though the things that usually go unnoticed help me recharge

Soon I would be out of bed and on my way to my workplace

But this time I would see my work with renewed eyes

Because sickness opens my eyes to see unseen things

Sickness helps me listen to the true melody of this life