How is it that in the West,
some days the thoughts we carry
are heavier
than this load carried by a Nepalese woman
and that,
while her physical burden
seems impossible to bear,
her soul, her thoughts,
are likely,
often,
lighter than air?
How is it? An excellent question - a provocative poem
ReplyDeleteProfound!! brilliant Sherry!
ReplyDeleteSuch a creative look at the things we carry...and the differences in our burdens
ReplyDeleteSo well put, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteWe are such wimps in North America. We've never had to carry physically heavy burdens (and I don't mean rearranging furniture) so we make our emotional burdens heavy instead. (That's my new theory and I'm sticking to it, until I forget it, or until I come up with another theory, whichever comes first.
ReplyDeleteMust sleep. I just typed "furst" and had to change "u" to "i" — do you think there's some deep underlying meaning in the u/i typo?
Luv, K
beautiful comparison and it indeed makes one ponder about life
ReplyDeleteDeep thinking going on here... :)
ReplyDeleteObviously it goes to show that the mental burden is more stressful than a physical burden. Nicely Sherry!
ReplyDeleteHank
I believe it ~ Their burdens are lighter than ours ~ You are in the poetic roll, smiles ~
ReplyDeleteI love your poem, though I believe she too ponders heavy thoughts in mind--different from ours and certainly less "all in the mind." Your point though, is well taken, and the progression of this poem is as beautiful as a rose bud opening in layers. I know that when I work hard and I am good at what I do, the very satisfaction brings mind and body into greater harmony. Why just yesterday I laid linoleum in my kitchen. Today I am a happy bundle of sore bones and rioting nerves, so it'll be awhile before I plug things in and trim edges.
ReplyDeleteThis is very profound commentary, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteindeed. though we are collectively dumb (or numb) enough to brush it all off, too. do we really confront the heaviness? truly? i don't think we do, most of us, most of the time.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost as though there is an inverse proportion between the physical and mental/spiritual.
ReplyDeleteI hope the woman's burden is lighter than air. Know what you mean about the weight we carry here. It's hard to shed it and just be. Good 'shorty' poem. Made me think.
ReplyDeleteThe Sherry Wisdom we have come to know, and love.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Sherry! This makes one ponder...Yes! mental 'weight'weighs us down.They are better..indeed :)
ReplyDeleteI'm liking Kay's explanation to your wonderful pen ~ M
ReplyDeleteWow. Sherry...you played that contrast so well and also remind that our burdens should never squelch our spirit...thank you.
ReplyDeleteAh yes the different kinds of things we carry for sure. That is a pretty amazing photo really. I bet she has emotional burdens as well though--that is human nature I think. Good response to the prompt!
ReplyDeleteoh, the human condition - you've just nailed it.
ReplyDeleteSo true! No wonder my back is messed up-my brain is too heavy with all these green thoughts-lol! I love your poem!
ReplyDelete