Slapstick Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

Today is Sunday for us to rest,
Yet between sleeping and waking
I saw the word slapstick.

Woke up with the word
Wondering about its etymology,
Went to sink, brushed my teeth.

Forgetting, went and came
Back from MiG Club Bandra gym,
And finished breakfast.

Between bites of dosa
Flashed the word, impelling
Me to go pick up volume two

Of World Book dictionary,
And refer to slapstick;
Two sticks tied to slap

With loud noise when
Used by clowns or actors:
I had actually guessed it.

History of words is not important,
But it is their inadequacy
To fully cover idea or feeling.

Two millenia and more back
Kathopanishad has said
Outgoing senses are exactly that.

Poor at sensing inward,
Gathering no inner meaning
Not helping in enlightenment.

My closed eyes dont pierce darkness,
Nor ear hears the unheard melodies,
My hands form slapstick inside in vain.

Words and senses go on their journey,
But they come back... to...
The Kingdom of Heaven within you.