Body and Soul
Wednesday, 18 November Haiku/Tanka Prompt Word “home”
This flesh enshrouds me
like a shoe that is too tight
never quite at home
I was inspired to write this after watching an interview with Ram Das, where death was likened to “taking off a shoe that is too tight” when the soul eventually leaves the dying body behind. This description resonated.
I have never entirely felt quite at home in my body, despite many sessions of body somatic therapy and meditation sessions. I wonder how many can relate to that feeling? I often still feel like a stranger resident inside of me.
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Recently facing some health issues, I am once again taking some time to try and listen to my body. Rather than seeing my body as “the enemy” I am trying to ask questions with curiosity, gentleness, love and wonder — what do you need from me? What do I need to do more? What do I need to do less? And then sit quietly and listen as I meditate on my breath and focus on the stillness for the answers to arise from within.
Wishing good health and continued vitality for all as we near the end of 2020.
NB: Please note that every day we are having to run dozens of poems through a haiku counter (as do our hardworking volunteer editors) and are getting many that are not meeting the correct syllable count of either 5, 7, 5 or 5, 7, 5, 7, 7. If you are unsure can you please check your poem through a haiku counter before you submit. This will make it easier and less stressful and time consuming for the editors.
Here is a link.
Prompt word: Please write a haiku or tanka using the prompt word “home” (or a derivative).
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