Prophecies speak
In careful warning
Of things they cannot know

A calamity would come
I pictured endings
Sharp enough to
Steal breath and hope

But, life revealed itself
Arriving, as ever
With weight
With repetition
With more asked than could be given

Troubles were layered
Until endurance was habitual
And living was effort

You never thought I'd be here to experience it
Neither did I

But I am and will be
Still standing in it
Still breathing

Here's my poem for the Poetry Versification 2026 contest, Day 22. The prompt was: Calamity: It was foretold a calamity would eventually come. You never thought I'd be here to experience it.