Brilliant, Latham. I know this poem’s feeling all too well, especially as I age. I simply must let go of the facade, the hopes, the expectations I built and never used. Why spend so much energy holding it together? The end gave me such relief too. And I love that you almost ironically mention the Tao. The greatest power is the power of being, not the power of doing.
"Today the thoughts let go of me, and the insecurities with them. I drop my shoulders and theories loosen their grip. My heartbeat slows, my voice softens, and the gold spires tarnish, then crumble, and return to ashes. I don’t will, don’t pray, don’t do anything. But in the nothing — I am."
Ooof I love this. It reminds me of my meditation practice. I recently had the realization that my mantra is part of what goes into my heart, and then it becomes part of me, and then eventually the mantra and I become one. Because we just are.
This was awesome, Latham. You have a uniquely enjoyable writing style and a way of writing that makes me feel like this was written specifically for me.
This was wonderful. Reading that first paragraph was such a cathartic experience for me. As someone who always feels the pressure of what I'm not, and all of the things I'm not doing and may never do, you captured that restless rush of unfulfilled possibility perfectly, and then - "I shelved them in order - to be admired, to be remembered, because they were me." hits like the deep, savoured breath that slows everything down, that reconciles you back to the moment.
Nice finish -- very Buddhist.
Wonderful. The first paragraph stressed me out. By the end I exhaled and felt calm. Something lessened its hold on me.
Brilliant, Latham. I know this poem’s feeling all too well, especially as I age. I simply must let go of the facade, the hopes, the expectations I built and never used. Why spend so much energy holding it together? The end gave me such relief too. And I love that you almost ironically mention the Tao. The greatest power is the power of being, not the power of doing.
Beautiful Latham. The first paragraph especially hit me hard. So relatable.
Love the format of part essay, part poetry, totally you.
Loved this.
"Today the thoughts let go of me, and the insecurities with them. I drop my shoulders and theories loosen their grip. My heartbeat slows, my voice softens, and the gold spires tarnish, then crumble, and return to ashes. I don’t will, don’t pray, don’t do anything. But in the nothing — I am."
Ooof I love this. It reminds me of my meditation practice. I recently had the realization that my mantra is part of what goes into my heart, and then it becomes part of me, and then eventually the mantra and I become one. Because we just are.
Beautiful reflection.
wow, i really enjoyed this.
Really cool poem, Latham.
This was awesome, Latham. You have a uniquely enjoyable writing style and a way of writing that makes me feel like this was written specifically for me.
This was wonderful. Reading that first paragraph was such a cathartic experience for me. As someone who always feels the pressure of what I'm not, and all of the things I'm not doing and may never do, you captured that restless rush of unfulfilled possibility perfectly, and then - "I shelved them in order - to be admired, to be remembered, because they were me." hits like the deep, savoured breath that slows everything down, that reconciles you back to the moment.
Thank you!