Descriptive: Stirring Things Up

Entering into a marathon of work,
That should occupy the mind,
As have to keep pace
For quite a long time,

Few opportunities for pondering,
Or capricious mind wandering
Or for getting stuck on
The inner world’s ramblings,

Have to stay concentrated
On what needs to be done,
On the job and at home
Regardless of the mood,

Keeping attention on the tasks
With few moments to rest
But how to stay relaxed
Within the busyness, that’s the challenge!

Seeking the balance
Between too tight and too loose,
Too dispersed and too focused
Takes effort to notice

But still I get caught
On surging negative thoughts,
‘What’s this about?’
No, no, not that question

But instead, ‘what’s the skillful response?’
Amidst cooking oatmeal
Immediately, the answer flashed,
‘Just make oatmeal;’

Stirring the oatmeal,
I am stirred
And I stir everything,
Watching everything stirring,
‘I’ dissolves into the pot.