Footprint



Inhale to exhale

For one is absent without the other

Yet both are nothing without the in-between

The combustion, the oxidation, the perspiration,

That nourishes the body to prosperity

For our world to keep green

Yet still a carbon footprint remains

To mark the days of our time on earth

Be born to die

For the tomb gains not without a womb

Yet both are nothing without the in-between

The living, the learning, the working

That nourishes humanity to prosperity

For our nations not run thin

Posterity judges justly upon that footprint

That marks one’s time spent on earth

Lose to Win

For success doesn’t count without failure

Yet both are nothing without the in-between

The determination, challenges, hopes and flops,

the exams, results and eventually the certification

Certifying the individual’s accomplishment

Accreditations line the walls to list the academic

Qualifications in a lifetime

Start to end

For endless starts are a worthless effort

Yet both are nothing without the in-between

The clashes and reconciliations, the mess-ups and corrections,

the achievements that signify worthwhile work

Contributed to the development seen

Milestones signposting the direction one traversed

Are the evident footprints posterity judges upon

Only upon such stalwarts a befitting farewell is bestowed

What will my footprint be?