Your poem was listed under the VIP section of "Poetry Review Garden [on hiatus]"  and I'm here to deliver to you my review. In addition, this review is part of your Extravagant Surprise package from "Magical Express Delivery Wagon" .

          The Ponderings of Life is a great choice of title. It has this awesome drag that would surely capture readers' attention to open and read your offering. The description you've provided also gave a quick preview as to what your piece is all about. Good job with that.

          This is all about being hopeful and being strong amidst life's adversities. I love how you penned each word that conveyed meaning so deep and worth pondering upon. Each stanza is a beacon to the readers to never lose hope but rather be hopeful against all odds.

          Free verse and I detected occasional end rhymes.

          The image you were trying to portray in our minds is vivid. Great job!

          I detected few flaws in the use of punctuation in some of the lines and little grammatical error. I'll rewrite your piece under the suggestion section of this review with applied punctuation. For grammatical error,

in the line that says, "how I was the only one not crying.", it has to be "how am I the only one not crying?"

in the line that says, "Wishing I could say, what I never", it has to be "Wishing I could say, what I've never been",

"While the darkness descends,
the sun also rises
I await the new day's surprises."

          Presentation-wise, I would like to see your title written with each beginning letter capitalized like this "The Ponderings of Life".

Applying use of punctuation:

Reading the grapes of wrath,
I settle into my bath,
enjoying myself for once.

Later, I think about
this side of paradise,
What awaits us on the other side?

I recall now a poem.
as I lay dying,
how am I the only one not crying?
Wishing I could say, what I've never been
able to in this life.

While the darkness descends,
the sun also rises.
I await the new day's surprises.

Although most poems doesn't apply punctuation marks and it's acceptable, this is only for presentation purposes.

          Definitely a good read. I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to more pieces like this. Keep your creativity flows and always aim to inspire others. Write on!