Lost
The mere shadow of a person
.... drags himself
.... along the desert floor,
.... throat parched,
.... seeking water.
Within his befuddled intellect
.... he prays for relief
.... from this ravaging thirst.
Have days passed?
.... Or months? Years?
The mind is a fog of thoughts,
.... eerie, chaotic, and formless.
Lucidity is now history.
The journey began
.... in search of meaning.
But the wastelands
.... began to beckon.
He wandered
.... deeper and deeper
.... into their depths
.... inhabited by the frivolous and worthless
.... held dear by many.
Slowly, ever so slowly
.... bearings were lost
The once robust being
.... is ravaged,
.... the original destination
.... but a figment of his imagination.
Inch by inch he drags himself along
.... unaware that mere yards to the right
.... is a road that would lead him
.... to the light he once sought.
Comments: A rather dark poem with religious or spiritual overtones. Actually, I believe almost every thinking person has experienced times described above. However, I will leave you to interpret the ultimate meaning of the poem.
Tai Chi on the Danube
Red tiled roofs,
.... fairy-tale homes of Austria
.... drift by
.... as village church spires
.... reach toward the heavens.
Lush, green vineyards
.... climb up the steep hills
.... still not ready for the harvest.
On the top deck of River Concerto
.... a tai chi student
.... practices alone
.... at this early hour—
.... adjusting his weight
.... to the subtle roll of the ship.
He readjusts
.... to execute
.... a less than perfect kick.
He cares little.
He becomes one
.... with the land and the river,
.... flowing in synchronicity.
Lost in time—in the moment.
Comments: We all have special memorable moments in our life. I had a number due to my daily practice aboard the ship. Hopefully, all of you have some form of activity, be it tai chi, yoga, or meditation, that takes you to the moments described in the poem. By the way, if you want to learn more about how tai chi can benefit your life, go to taichiproductions.com
