What The Mind Said To Me Poem by Prathibha Nandakumar

People suffer from word sickness, so word medicine is necessary
- Zen Master Seung Sahn

-1-
The mind said to me
All your devotion of ten thousand years
do not get you that one address of endearment
He calls her dear and inquires about her
being one centimeter fatter today
what has your bleeding love got you?

I said
It kept me awake the entire night
to write down these poems
that would grow by meters.

-2-
I can sit in patience
putting these stones to shame.
I believe someday
The tides can move the moon
And the flowers chase the bees
And someday
On entering into my mind
you may actually find it empty
just like you accuse me of today.

-3-
The mind asked me
Why don’t you go to the mountain
Or forest or some lonely stretch
to get it out of your system?
To lick your wounds and
get to terms with your pain?
Take a fine blanket against the cold
Or a big umbrella against the sun
hibernate, heal and finally emerge
new, strong and sleek?

I asked
Will he wait till then?
Silence.
-4-
I know exactly what to do.
What I offered him
And he did not accept
has to be destroyed.

I am destroying myself.

-5-
The mind asked me
what more do you want?
I asked
what do I have?
I don’t even know
What it is to be called dear.

-6-
The mind asked me
do you know why nothing happened between the two of you?
I said
I know.