Today I witnessed something intriguing
I witnessed the thoughts in my head
I witnessed my emotions as they raced
And how they followed and how they led
I played some songs from yester-years
Songs with intense drama and emotion
And as I watched and as I listened
My feelings were no longer my own creation
I noticed my thoughts were not my own
My memory was piecing bits together
Bits to conform and fit in with the song
To blend with the songs emotional weather
Such random thoughts, such random meanings
All mushed up and stored in my mind
Why go to a theater, I have fodder inside
To churn out dramas of any possible kind
Whose thoughts are these, whose beliefs
I did not create them, I soaked them in
Some notions from books and songs and movies
And the rest from various kith and kin
So when my emotions hijack my peace
And my thoughts take me to annoying places
Can I just correct some patterns in my head
And free myself from all their traces
What happens the next time I read a book
My next movie, my next love song
The next conversation I have with someone
The next time I agree to just tag along
Can I be alert and aware all the time
To watch my attention and the company I keep
Can I orchestrate my life so much
To guard against influences while awake and asleep
Perhaps I should just immerse myself
In this messy and drama laden culture of ours
Expose myself to possible consequences
And stay prepared to bear some scars
I cannot be separate from this world
I am a part of this networked mess
The ideas that abound on this planet
Are the ones I find in my mind to address
As I brace the ups and downs of this ride
I want to be anchored somewhere beyond
Somewhere outside the world and my mind
For they both resemble a murky pond
I witnessed the thoughts in my head
I witnessed my emotions as they raced
And how they followed and how they led
I played some songs from yester-years
Songs with intense drama and emotion
And as I watched and as I listened
My feelings were no longer my own creation
I noticed my thoughts were not my own
My memory was piecing bits together
Bits to conform and fit in with the song
To blend with the songs emotional weather
Such random thoughts, such random meanings
All mushed up and stored in my mind
Why go to a theater, I have fodder inside
To churn out dramas of any possible kind
Whose thoughts are these, whose beliefs
I did not create them, I soaked them in
Some notions from books and songs and movies
And the rest from various kith and kin
So when my emotions hijack my peace
And my thoughts take me to annoying places
Can I just correct some patterns in my head
And free myself from all their traces
What happens the next time I read a book
My next movie, my next love song
The next conversation I have with someone
The next time I agree to just tag along
Can I be alert and aware all the time
To watch my attention and the company I keep
Can I orchestrate my life so much
To guard against influences while awake and asleep
Perhaps I should just immerse myself
In this messy and drama laden culture of ours
Expose myself to possible consequences
And stay prepared to bear some scars
I cannot be separate from this world
I am a part of this networked mess
The ideas that abound on this planet
Are the ones I find in my mind to address
As I brace the ups and downs of this ride
I want to be anchored somewhere beyond
Somewhere outside the world and my mind
For they both resemble a murky pond
Beautiful!! Pasting my favourite lines below:
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should just immerse myself
...
And stay prepared to bear some scars
...
I cannot be separate from this world
I am a part of this networked mess
The ideas that abound on this planet
Are the ones I find in my mind to address
Reminded me of this philosophy of advaitvad (non-duality) which states that we just don't exist as an individual but, as a system.
Wow let this witnessing continue....such self observance is given to very few fortunate ones. Being just a witness where even a part of us can set aside will one day attune us completely to life which is all inclusive and yet aloof. This is the abhayasa which can be done daily. Lovely insight has helped me in my inner quest. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhy go to a theater, I have fodder inside
ReplyDeleteTo churn out dramas of any possible kind
Wow! My favorite lines. Of course, each one of us have a fodder factory stored in our brain. The way songs reach the darkest corners of this factory and evoke the deepest emotions is certainly intriguing! However I opine that we can afford to have some murkiness in our souls as long as we can exercise some level of control on them. If it was cyrstal clear, we all would've attained Nirvana :)
Beautiful ! The quest for something eternal to be anchored to, beyond the murkiness.
ReplyDeleteMindfulness ! The downsides of it. "Can I be alert and aware all the time."
Really like your poetry, Ramya.
Hi Ramya! Loved every bit of the poem! Beautifully written
ReplyDelete