# And Still, I Smile #

Today, I am not writing about a grand achievement or a remarkable event. I am simply pausing to look at life—the joys, the losses, the lessons, and the precious memories that have shaped me.

Sometimes, a blank page becomes a mirror. It allows us to see where we have been, appreciate what remains, and smile at the journey.

So today, I listen to the whispers of my heart and let my pen speak.

# And Still, I Smile #

Today,
I place my life
on a blank page—

a little laughter,
a few tears,
some unfinished dreams,
and memories
that refuse to fade.

I have played
the chessboard of life
with black and white pieces,

winning some moves,
losing others,
and learning
that every move
needs courage.

Life has slipped
through my fingers
like warm sand.

I tried to hold it tightly,
but it taught me instead—

some things
are meant to be lived,
not held.

So I gathered
what remained:

a smile from yesterday,
a friend’s kind words,
a moment of love,
a lesson from pain,

and called them
memories.

Life has not always
been gentle.

It has brought
unexpected storms,
silent tears,
and goodbyes
I never wanted.

But it has also
given me mornings,
friendship,
laughter,
hope,

and another chance
to begin.

Today,
I do not count
what I have lost.

I count
what still remains.

And perhaps
that is the secret
life whispers
as we grow older:

Be grateful.
Stay happy.
Keep smiling.

Because tomorrow
is another blank page—

and I still have
a poem to write.

(Vijay Verma)
www.retiredkalam.com



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26 replies

  1. very nice .

    Liked by 1 person

  2. We keep creating memories each day and remain hopeful. We’re counting blessings. A lovely poem, Verma.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. So many live life with regret and can not find their gratitude moment even when it is right in front of them. Warm sunshine on your face, a visit with a dear friend, a loving touch… Life is not all sweetness and light, but the sweetness and light help us survive the knocks and bumps, if we just let them. Have a good day. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, Allan, for such a beautiful and thoughtful reflection. 🙏 I completely agree—sometimes the greatest gifts of life are the simplest ones, yet we overlook them while searching for something bigger. A warm ray of sunshine, a friend’s presence, or a loving touch can quietly remind us that life is still beautiful. The difficult moments will always be part of the journey, but gratitude helps us notice the sweetness and light that carry us through them.

      Wishing you a wonderful day filled with little moments worth being grateful for. ✨

      Liked by 1 person

  4. This is beautiful Vijay. So full of optimism and hope, positive for the future. But realistic, recognising the trials, challenges – those difficult moments.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, dear friend, for seeing the heart behind these words. 🙏 Life is never free from trials and difficult moments, but I believe hope becomes more meaningful when it exists alongside those challenges.

      We may not control every turn in the journey, but we can choose to keep walking with courage, gratitude, and faith in a brighter tomorrow. ✨

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I like the positivity and sense of gratitude in your poem.
    Life is a little bit of ‘this’ and a little bit of ‘that.’
    With hope and belief, we should keep moving.
    Thank you for sharing this insightful post.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. 🙏 Indeed, life is a beautiful blend of ‘this’ and ‘that’—joy and sorrow, success and struggle, hope and uncertainty.

      What matters is that we keep moving forward with gratitude, faith, and belief in tomorrow. I’m so glad the poem resonated with you. ✨

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Beautiful poem and love your comparisons like the chessboard. Truly realistic as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, dear friend! 🙏 I’m delighted that the chessboard comparison resonated with you. Life truly feels like a game of chess sometimes—every move teaches us something, and every setback gives us another chance to think, learn, and move forward. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

      Like

  7. This felt less like a poem and more like a gentle conversation with the soul Verma ji🤍 Every verse carries gratitude, resilience, and quiet wisdom. Thank you for this beautiful reminder that as long as we have another blank page, we still have another story to write. 🦋✨

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, dear friend, for such a heartfelt and beautiful reflection. 🤍 Your words truly touched me. Perhaps poetry is at its best when it becomes a quiet conversation between the heart and the soul.

      As long as life gives us a blank page, there is always hope, healing, and another story waiting to be written.🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Steve Miller, good guitar player and not the greatest lyricist one said.

    Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’
    Into the future
    I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea

    I remember you were saying you wanted to be an eagle.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, you remembered correctly! 😊 I suppose that eagle is still somewhere in my imagination, soaring freely above the worries and limitations of everyday life. 🦅

      And Steve Miller’s words fit that dream rather perfectly—time keeps slipping into the future, while we keep hoping to spread our wings a little wider and fly a little higher. Perhaps I never really wanted to be an eagle; I simply wanted the freedom to see life from a higher perspective. 💜

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  9. A blank page can be full of so many happy possibilities! Lovely poem, friend. 😊💜🙏🏽

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much, my dear friend! 😊💜🙏🏽 You’re absolutely right—a blank page may look empty, but it is actually filled with endless possibilities waiting to be discovered. Sometimes, all it needs is a little courage, imagination, and the first word. ✍️✨ Wishing you many beautiful possibilities on your own blank pages too! 🌸

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