Tag: pantoum

leave nothing out – a pantoum

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, feelings, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, spirituality, SurrenderLeave a comment

The pantoum is a poetic form originating in 15th century Malaysia that uses repetition. It’s a poem of any length composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The final stanza is often two lines from the first stanza.

leave nothing out – a pantoum

the task is to leave nothing out
this is actually a very big order
search until searching is done
ask every question you have

this is the biggest order in life
to meet and to greet your depths
pose every question you have
so nothing is left unexamined

to meet and to greet your depths
requires finding innate courage
so nothing is left unconsidered
face fear, anxiety, and rage

you must find your innate courage
search inward for what’s unattended
unearth fear, anxiety, and rage
find the ground beneath even that

search unattended emotions
we stuffed them down to be safe
there’s a layer beneath even that
the ground of simple sensation

we stuffed them down to be safe
buried, they no longer serve us
find the ground of simple sensation
impersonal, unlabeled, and pure

buried emotions don’t serve us
tear open the box that they live in
dig further to find the impersonal
sink your taproot deep into that

tear open the box that they live in
examine and then let them fly
your root is in the impersonal
true sustenance of all that is

search until searching is done
the task is to leave nothing out

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

thirst – a pantoum

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, Breath, Daily reminders, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, spirituality, Truth2 Comments

The pantoum is a poetic form originating in 15th century Malaysia that uses repetition. It’s a poem of any length composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The final stanza is often two lines from the first stanza.

thirst—a pantoum

be thirsty, it’s primary
a thirst that insists
it requires quenching
your spirit is hungry

a thirst that insists
that points the direction
your spirit is pining
to find your true home

it points the direction
with love and persistence
you’ll find your true home
even closer than breathing

be persistent and loving
and direct your attention
even prior to breathing
observe and you’ll find it

direct your attention
turn inward each time
observe and you’ll find it
your near and dear home

be thirsty, it’s primary
it requires quenching

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

leavetaking – a pantoum

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn awe, Daily reminders, Musings, Poetry, writing9 Comments

The pantoum is a poetic form originating in 15th century Malaysia that uses lots of repetition. It’s a poem of any length composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The repeated lines may have subtle changes that shift the meaning. The final stanza is often two lines from the first stanza.

leavetaking—a pantoum

eventually, even stars sputter out
gray whales and the tiniest mouse
we all have an allotted span—
what to make of this earthly time?

gray whales and the tiniest mouse
no choice, we all are called home
how to parse this earthly time?
it’s both precious and doesn’t matter

there’s no choice; we all return home
we leave and arrive, leave and arrive
it’s precious and has no meaning
can you celebrate your homecoming?

we arrive and leave, arrive and leave
the schedule is not of our making
can you celebrate your leavetaking?
your return to the deepest home?

we all have an allotted span
eventually, even stars sputter out

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

nothing personal

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, consciousness, Daily reminders, Kashmiri Shaivism, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes to self, spirituality2 Comments

The pantoum is a poetic form originating in 15th century Malaysia. It’s a poem of any length composed of four-line stanzas in which the second and fourth lines of each stanza serve as the first and third lines of the next stanza. The final stanza is often two lines from the first stanza.

nothing personal
note to self—a pantoum

wash yourself of yourself
there’s nothing personal here
we believe we’re rare, unique
but life is simply living itself

there’s nothing personal here
though we’re sure it’s so
but life is simply living itself
embodiment’s wild ride

though we’re sure it’s so
we’re caught in crazy mind
embodiment’s wild ride
life tests and teaches

we’re caught in crazy mind
thinking we’re special
life tests and teaches
sands and burnishes

we believe we’re rare, unique
wash yourself of yourself

thank you to Coleman Bark’s translation of Rumi
for the line “wash yourself of yourself” from the poem
“Be Melting Snow.”

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.