Poetry

The Lucky One

The stars aligned for some of us

Photo by Jonatan Pie on Unsplash

Our safety depends on so many things
the country of our birth
parents we are gifted to

Lives begun in starvation, want, despair
or joy, abundance, gender reveal parties
wait lists for private preschools of the elite

Will fires rage around us
when we are two or
forty or sixty-three?

Caused by roving militants
war seeking rivals
or simply lightning in dry grass on a hot day

Chance governs so much
in the lives we are given
and the paths we walk

So if you are blessed with good fortune
smile upon those who are not
and share what you have

Because if the stars aligned to give you
a life without fear of starvation or
the possibility of death a thousand ways

You are the lucky one