Category: body

moment out of time

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn aging, body, Daily reminders, dogs, fear, Musings, old age, pain, Poetry, stories2 Comments

moment out of time

walking the path
watching the dogs
fly over the field,
I pitch forward
nose grinds the dirt
and grit in my mouth
hard landing
on last year’s titanium

pain ratchets through
I lie there   waiting
on the old body’s report
warily flex my banged hand
repaired wrist seems to work
rotate the shoulder
it throbs
but no spiking spear

then my husband
by my side
sweetie, what happened
take it slow
I unfold on the ground
with the help his hand
make it up on my feet
nothing broken
scrapes and bruises
badly shaken

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

every day, something

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, body, Breath, children, Daily reminders, feelings, grief, heart, Love, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, pathless path, Poetry, prayer2 Comments

every day, something

I no longer choose
to watch news
but it oozes in
malignant
headline here
car radio there
snippets overheard
while waiting

Taiwan earthquake,
aid workers bombed
child migrant drowned
in the Rio Grande

the choice seems stark
do I stay open
to these assaults
or snap shut
in self-protection?
neither the solution

so I live with the grief
pray
drink the dark
into my heart’s kiln
transmute
grim to love
and float it out

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

surprise

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn awe, body, Daily reminders, emotion, gratitude, grief, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, sufferingLeave a comment

surprise

at the beginning
of the dry season
I wake to steady
rumbling on the roof

lulled, body softens
wants to sink back
into sleep
but Jazz is up
on her feet
cold nose nudging

before rising
I send prayers
for the war torn
and unhoused
how is it my sisters
my brothers
bed down in cold rain
and I have the gift
of husband, warm dog
and snug dwelling?
I am not better
not special
and so grateful

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

soak in spring

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, body, Daily reminders, feelings, Musings, nature, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, simple pleasures, SurrenderLeave a comment

soak in spring

If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine. —Rainer Maria Rilke

some days, when the world
insists on otherwise,
I insist on seeing miracles
peer through day’s haze
note how dust motes
float in light,
our daytime stars

doves gather
ten, now twelve
feast on seed
below the feeder
while the bride of spring
jasmine’s spill,
spreads heady scent

short-sleeved,
sitting in sunshine
warm on winter skin
worry turns to wonder
I drink it in

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

the call

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, beauty, body, communion, Daily reminders, gratitude, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, prayer, wonder, writingLeave a comment

the call

I yield myself and am borrowed —D. H. Lawrence

this, the gift
to give over until
willingly taken
I wait

stars winking
plenitude inside
creation, a joining
thee and me
source and means
a seeming two yet
one in play

a labyrinth
this web of words
shivers rush
my back
the unknown calls

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

the age of loss

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, body, Daily reminders, death, feelings, grief, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from selfLeave a comment

the age of loss

every day a new reminder
an ache a twinge
minuscule shift,
but there—
harbinger
marking a different time
new signposts
come   grow   go

a friend reported
my brother died
I’m the last one standing
her gaze hummed grief
and comprehension

before, a distant veil
floating our way
now here
raw
obdurate
inevitable
the clouds pile
look—
how majestic they are

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.


seasons

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, body, consciousness, Daily reminders, death, emotion, feelings, gratitude, grief, loss, Love, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, PoetryLeave a comment

seasons

growing body   gaining skill
first steps, attempts
putting it together
new loves
untried adventures

the middle span
assessments
reviews, confessions

now, taking away—
from friend, beloved
or myself
small or large
twitch, twang, or sorrow
every day a leaving
sobering,
this season of losses

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

spring tease

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn body, dogs, Musings, nature, PoetryLeave a comment

spring tease

taunting warmth
tantalizing blossoms
flavor the air
then temperature drops
bone chill again

dog is lucky
one all-weather coat
she watches gravely
as I pull on knee socks
long underwear
and thick jacket
to face the field’s chill

forty minutes later
strip off the same layers
cook oatmeal and walnuts
to warm my insides

the mist has burned off
I stand soak in the sunshine
by noon
stripped to shirtsleeves
three hours of real spring
then the temperature cools
Jazz watches
as I dress up again
time for her evening walk
I imagine her thinking
silly humans

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

mud puddles and twig

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, body, fear, mind, Musings, nature, Poetry, Silence, writingLeave a comment

mud puddles and twig

blank mind dread
still dark
never sure
if words will come
then I remember
what my poet friend says
it doesn’t have to be good
but it has to be true

I trust true
will come when I wait
in the discomfort
of not knowing

the beat of my heart
drops me
back into my body
where words collide

once there’s a slurry
I trust play
will find shape
and take form

2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.