What Happened to My Plans?

Reflections

A short poem about life experience, What Happened to My Plans? explores an essential aspect of the human condition: life rarely unfolds according to our expectations.

The poem opens with the contrast between dream and reality. A summer sky gives way to a cloudy dawn; a dream drifts downstream and fades from sight. These images capture the familiar cycle of hope and disappointment. The tone is not bitter—it is observant, almost resigned, and conveys a sense of acceptance.

The second stanza deepens this theme. The search for a meadow—perhaps symbolizing simplicity, peace, or fulfillment—ends instead in a city of steel. Here, the poem reflects a common experience: the world we encounter is often harsher and less hospitable than the one we imagined. The line My perfect plans fell through my hands suggests that no matter how carefully we plan, we do not control the outcome.

The final stanza marks a shift. The speaker looks for a straight and narrow path—a promise of certainty—but finds only twists and turns. Yet instead of despair, the poem arrives at acceptance. An unexpected turn of events teaches us lessons we could not learn any other way. The unpredictability of experience gives life its depth and meaning.

The poem’s wisdom lies in reframing. It does not deny loss or disappointment; instead, it places them within a broader understanding of life as something to be lived, not managed. Our expectations may not be met, but meaning is still found—often in ways we never planned. To find contentment, we must meet life as it is, recognizing each day as precious.

Affirmation

Even when my plans don’t work out, I know I can still find meaning and purpose. I accept life as it unfolds, knowing that each day—expected or not—offers an opportunity to grow from my experiences.

Please watch the video for the poem "What Happened to My Plans."