putting all that I have needed over the years
that photo album, I don't remember since when
old penny given by my dad when I was twelve
walkman my brother gifted to me at fourteen
silk scarf, my mom presented to me at seventeen
tattered journal, coming apart at the seams
patch of air, damp yet essential
my broken thoughts, belonging only to me
maybe it is human nature to be cautious
and not let go of our comfort zones
"I need to collect all those before I toss them out of my life"
Somehow I myself seem to be unable to act upon it, but, in one of his books, Idries Shah has a memorable story about a man whose old sandals suddenly start to be a source of continuous troubles for him and all the rest … The man tries to dispose of them several times, but to no avail… They always return back into his hands, bringing about another trouble… Finally he decides to buy a new pair… And, immediately, all furhter problems end mysteriously …!?:)
ReplyDeleteI love how this is written. So to the edge
ReplyDeleteI rid myself of a lifetime of things this past year--it didn't make me feel lighter or any of the great things people said it would
We seem to need so much familiarity around us. Yet, many times I've been in the position of sudden change, and I realise it's not that important.
ReplyDeleteUntil I build more familiar things around me ...
it does often seem these remnents of the past, these ghosts, these trinkets of time, are but anchors in the material world.\
ReplyDeleteits dangerous to move forward when your looking backwards
i have thrown material objects away all of my life in an effort to prove to myself that they are "just stuff"... and now every once in a while i want them all back... keep them gautami,, you just might miss them some day........
ReplyDeleteIts good that you cherish your old belongings that you hv. so humble. i like that
ReplyDeleteMost of my old belongings --
ReplyDeleteyounger than me!
I've never been especially sentimental but as I've gotten older I find myself attached to certain things. A couple of watches that were gifts some 20 and 30 years ago. An inexpensive ball point pen my dad gave me nearly 20 years ago because I made a remark about liking it. An old pair of boots. A wallet that a fortune passed through on its way to the underground economy. The drug wars took most everything else from me but I don't miss much of it (much). Just the friends. And maybe the brain cells and liver functionality.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your work.
sometimes it helps to pack up old stuff, sometimes it just makes it hurt more.
ReplyDeleteGautami, this was wonderful. It's so truthful, and open. Those simple, simple things that mean so much to us.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so attached to the gift as I am to the giver. As memories of who gave you what and when, each was important. Each was something you didn't want to forget.
ReplyDeleteNicely written Tami! Keep the very special things. :) xxoo
ReplyDeleteWow! it flows so well... beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteI adore this... I could make this my mantra. So wise, so authentic.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the tattered journal coming apart at the seams - I have one of those. It's true, we humans love our things, our comfort.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful and nicely turned, gautami.
ReplyDeleteThese collections would comes in handy in our post. Each must have been very valuable to you. I like the way you craft the post with the raw thoughts. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like ozymandiaz's comment. The collection of things are tokens of love, it seems to me, in this poem. What is real is the love, and that you will never be without. But also objects can be like traces, proof that we did exist in a certain place and time. Maybe that's why we write, and share our thoughts, so that they can live too. Great poem, gautami. It really made me think.
ReplyDeleteoh, it's so difficult to dispose of things with memories attached to them...
ReplyDeleteexcellent
most enjoyable...
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to go beyond our comfort zone. It's just so... comfortable here :)
ReplyDeleteWell done, Gautami. When I think back on my life so far, I tend to regret more often the things I didn't try than the things I did.
hmm... sometimes, it's best to let go of the things that bind us to the past.
ReplyDelete