'Just See' Poem by Arshad Sardar

“Just See”, I repeat that to myself;
in between deep breaths as I run.


Shimmer of the leaves over my head
dry leaves dancing in the morning breeze.
The breeze flowing against me. A dropp of sweat
makes my left eye salty.
My body taking two miles to warm up.
Just see.

Children happy, grumpy, sleepy,
I run past them on their way to school.
I’m staring at my shoes, up a slope
my legs in a pendulum motion.
Notice everything.


One One Two Two. Breathe deep,
sweat easy. Past the ‘half mark’ for the day
I can take on the world for now.
Legs a little heavy but
more efficient, as the effort increases
don’t forget: be aware.

Pebbles on the dirt track, uneven tar
under my soles. Calm blue sky
flowing shadows of trees, shrubs made
luminous, by the morning sun. A bird not
usually seen and heard. Soak it.

Running, I’m learning to touch the moments
when motion, body, thought and being:
are one. Like I long to be with the one,
to feel free of gravity. Just be.