Before the day claims me
With its inevitable over analysis
By every expert of every stripe
About who really blinked first
The airwaves clogging up
As all sorts of predictions
Spell out how profoundly
Uncertainty has mangled
Our collective wellbeing
Let me just lie here, still
And silent, recollecting
My yoga teacher’s voice
As he exhorts me regularly
To keep my focus on the
Length of the out breath.
You are right if, if can only keep breathing in and out...
ReplyDeleteThank you Anannya.
DeleteI sat up in bed to write this, but only after I had lain for several minutes after a restless night, reminding myself that breathing is the very essence of life.
The contrast works well between the first and second half of the poem...
ReplyDelete"inevitable over analysis
By every expert of every stripe"
and the "Let me just lie here"
.... loved them
Thank you Charu.
DeleteI live in Dubai, and as you can imagine, last night was anxiety laden. I wrote this as a reminder to myself. Even breathing, which we take for granted, requires Riyaaz.
Firstly, big hugs to you, Jayasree. Last night was a tough one for all of us, but I can only imagine how much worse it must be for you, living where you do. Thank you for giving us the gift of this beautiful poem, despite the circumstances. Your yoga teacher's counsel is the remedy we all need to remember in these times.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to cope - the yoga teacher's advice. "Before the day claims me" - written so well. Take care.
ReplyDelete