Doggedly: Applying Effort

Sleepiness overtakes
During meditation efforts
And turning towards this event,
Try to see what’s happening,

A curtain veils the senses
And the room backgrounds,
Fuzzy perceptions
And tingling abound,

Little reaction to sound,
Which merely bounces off,
Or drifts through or around
And disappears without visible effect;

Heat rises in the body
And lethargy oppresses,
Eyes opening brings up energy
But still the fog persists.

Wiggling the toes
And sitting up straight,
Barely penetrates the mist,
Fatigue envelops like dust.

Peering through the drowsiness,
Trying to see it clearly,
Mindfulness gradually increases
And an aircraft engine sounds in the distance.

Tuning into listening
Focuses the mind
And stimulates alertness
That shines through the darkness.

Eyes closed again,
Turning inward,
Feeling tranquility
And lightness.