If I could make you stop
for a moment
and not entertain yourself
not sing or be sung to
not play or be played with
not study or be studied
not cook, not eat
not taste, not listen
just close your eyes
and think
about yourself
and what goes on in your mind
when all else is quiet
What does it want?
What has it been trying to say?
What are you anyway?
You will be made aware of what's missing
softly at first
and then louder
till it becomes a physical force
that hammers your chest
with fear and doubt
Now open your eyes again
and let the world's clamor back in
to drown your soul's cry in business
at least now
you know what you're running from
coward
This reader is curious to know what you discovered you were running from in your moment of quiet contemplation. I think the 'not cook' line kind of distracts from the feeling going on, but other than that, nice.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
That's interesting about the 'not cook' line. It's certainly not vital. I just wonder why it struck you, though. They're all just physical activities that distract us from contemplation. Oh, I've discovered a lot of things. I meant the poem as a challenge to others.