Tiger's Nest Taksang Monastery in Bhutan
photo by Sushma_KS
My heart yearns toward a monk's cell
perched on the edge of a mountain cliff,
halfway between here and heaven.
Yet here I am, in a grey little town
in the valley,
trying to fashion my unwieldy life
into something
that does not give offence.
My challenge, the cliff-walk
of understanding the distance
between where you are
and where I long to be.
My practice, the lighting of incense
and, sometimes, hearts,
with the weaving of words.
My sorrow, the mantra of my soul:
how to tame
the tiger's nest of
keening for all that was,
all that may never be again,
so it may bed down
in peace.
One from 2015, re-posted for Poetry Pantry at Poets United - do stop by for some good reading with your coffee on Sunday morning.
I have the feeling that you will find the way, Sherry!! If anyone can tame the tiger's nest, I have faith that YOU can!
ReplyDeleteIt is a real challenge to oneself just like staying at that God forsaken place! It takes great resolve to a person to be able to overcome!
ReplyDeleteHank
You always light my heart - with your words and your being - it is a shame to have to fashion a life to not cause offence..we all deserve to live how we wish..if where we wish to be seems unreachable..i hope too that that place and feeling comes for you
ReplyDeletefor all that was,
ReplyDeleteall that may never be again,
so it may bed down
in peace..... yes, that's a tough tiger to tame..loved this one Sherry. i have climbed up to the tiger's nest in Bhutan and it is such a beautiful place..at least for those few hours, there is a surreal peace.
you transcended into that place on the cliff by virtue of your words, your wish to be in the same space.
ReplyDeletethe universe recognizes your presence in this micro-moment of existence in the realm of the universe
gracias for this lovely piece
Worry no more my friend. You are the wild woman with a heart & soul that is always one with nature. Don't let the passing of time & circumstances affect your elemental faith. :) Happy Easter, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteI don't think that keening does end unless we go through that same gate. I suppose in life one should never let our love be unspoken lest we feel we have missed telling them so after they've gone.
ReplyDeletesuch lovely longing in these words as you take stock..
ReplyDelete"to fashion my unwieldy life
into something
that does not give offence"
- but I believe the tiger does not mind showing its claws ;)
Such a beautiful sense of longing in your verse..! Powerfully expressed.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
i know that longing to go and sit on the mountain top and contemplate life. I am living that challenge as I manage that cliff-walk...and your mantra is one I feel deeply! Wonderful Sherry!
ReplyDeleteThe longing for that place you wish gives the heart strength to carry own and grace others with your presence of being so when you reach your center you can look back on the many lives that you have touched and the directions they have gone. Nice writing!
ReplyDeleteLonging, one of those things that seem to go on forever....for one thing or another, for one someone or another....
ReplyDeleteNow that we know each other a little better ;-) I think I can safely say that though your body may be in a grey little town in the valley, your heart and soul and words are lighting paths for people all over the world....you have fashioned your 'unwieldy life' into something that makes a huge difference in this world!!
ReplyDeleteMy spirit often longs for the quiet seclusion of a tiny island, so I can relate to the idea of retreat you have described.
ReplyDeleteA transcendental write Sherry. You surely can tame that tiger. If you haven't already
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter
Much love...
Great insights here, especially about making peace with what was or could have been. We all have a tiger, but often, we don't see it. Love this writing Sherry. It reveals your self-knowledge and wisdom.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt writing. Peace.
ReplyDeleteAh, the heart just go on...so high point of dreams...and this 'between' we will fill for sure day by day.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember this one. (Smile.) Wonderful metaphor and I can relate that way – but I have a height phobia, so in a literal sense do not share such yearnings!
ReplyDeleteI also share the sentiment, the yearning...but the height thing would be beyond daunting,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
That brought back my personal agonies and torments in a flood. Massive conflicts that cannot be resolved easily. Perhaps the tiger's nest would show how to rise above them all ..
ReplyDelete2 steps forward, one step back right? It seems struggles never end, but endurance is the only way to outrun them it seems.
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard to take our lives as they are when we had ideas about what it should have been. Such truth Sherry!
ReplyDeleteThat you put this image with these words makes perfect sense. The Tiger's Nest, literal, and the metaphorical, perfect.
ReplyDeleteLovely lines.
ReplyDeleteI think we can arrive in those places of rest and meditation in our hearts. Though the journey there would be incredible.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday Sherry
A very impassioned poem and plea, Sherry--thank you. k.
ReplyDeleteKeep weaving those words! They are restoratives for the soul.
ReplyDeleteAs someone, who understands, your want and need, it's a journey of a thousand steps, where each one, builds upon the previous step. And yes, it can be, a slow and painful trip, at times, but the reward is, the ultimate gift, one's soul can experience.
ReplyDelete