Once I stopped

once I stopped reading
I stopped breathing
Once I stopped breathing
I gasped and wheezed for air
Till I stopped living

Once I stopped reading
I stopped growing
I became stunted and malnourished
And once I stopped growing
I stopped living

Once I stopped reading
And became too busy with nothing
I found no pleasure in pursuing my dreams
I deprived myself of the imagination to thrive
I never found satisfaction in my mediocrity that had become a second nature
I stopped living

Once I stopped reading
I was always drank with stupor with ignorance
My brain cells dulled up
And my nerves more insensitive
I lost my ability to climb high up and higher up
I forgot all that I held so dear
Those things that said no to my fear
Suddenly, I stopped living

So now that I know that this cancer is malignant
Now that I can diagnose that it has metastasized to my bone and liver
I still am able to find my cure and I stand on it lever
Swing me to the direction I desire
Because most of the things I have held dear
I managed to find reading
I must start living
At least once again

T