Stagnant Travel

flights of thought suspended
emotions postponed
scintillations unravelled
circular stagnation
levitation time warped

inside the Buddha meets trepidation
loincloth gets looser
scent candles burn blisters
on sandalwood base
fused with a valley of tears

a river flows backwards
in which one cannot swim twice

third time fortunate
he finds middle ground
inspired by expiration
middle way between
desperation and movement
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Andresen Avatar
December 6, 2022 at 3:03 AM
- the will to move forward...even though it may be difficult...a profound poem, Kai -
Radice Avatar
December 4, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Very thought provoking Kai. I dont pretend to understand all of what you have written and may be completely off course with my interpretation but thats the beauty of poetry as far as Im concerned. The first stanza had me thinking about blunted mood/ affect. I sense meditation and mindfulness playing their part in the work too.. Is there a bit of Greek philosophy referred to with the lines: "a river flows backwards in which one cannot swim twice" ? Good luck in the contest. Cheers - Gary
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