REALITY CHECK

The reality does not lie,
Even to the layperson,
Oblivious of its magnitude,
Since everybody mutatis mutandis,
Undergoes a reality check,
Though at times at the unexpected moments,
When off the guard,
Consequently inconceivable and incomprehensible,
To the soft and hard-hearted alike,
A blow that affects as well as influence,
Who you are and whom you become,
Haphazardly, 
Instituting injudicious consequences,
Or the obverse to the lucky few;
There is no turning back,
That's the reality check,
Seemingly a torment to the naive,
And a marvel to those with a mastery of life,
A joy and equally painful to confront,
At the end, 
A punch bag,
To test the ability,
To withstand,
Any atrocity or merry,
The reality check,
A reality to be experienced.