Commute: Seeking Balance

Fed up with
Getting pulled by emotions;
Tried mindfulness of breathing
All day, instead.

Accomplished much
But restlessness,
Dissatisfaction
And criticism driven;

Pulled from task
To task,
Jobs to be done,
And perfectionism besides.

Mindfulness of all
Made settling into meditation easier,
But stillness broken
By mental busyness: chores to do.

Restlessness revitalized afterwards,
With incessant thinking
Compulsive cleaning,
But posture focus too.

When finished, sat for tea;
Met with shakiness, agitation,
Likely migraine coming
With the weather change;

The external atmosphere
Brought about internal alterations,
Which gave rise to turbulent moods,
Upon which the mind broods.

Finally flew angrily into exercising,
Drumming furniture and dancing war;
This frenzy vanquished the fury
By channeling the tempest,
And then at last mind came to rest.

Commotion: Out of Balance

Negative mood
But calm in the background;
Let everything be
And got some work done,

Then got pulled
Into everything again;
Compulsive thinking,
And worrying.

The ringing phone
Brought me back
Into now;
Again and again

I used this anchor
In the stormy seas,
So tiresome
And repetitive.

When will this
Exasperating irritation leave?
I will not
Grieve its departure,

But appreciate the contrast;
Yet, alas the difference
Keeps it going,
My ignorance is showing;

My ill will towards
This agitation,
Ensures its recurrence
And perpetuation;

My craving for ease,
Guarantees a continuation
Of these wild swings
From peace to chaos.

Commentary: Mindful Lugging

After grocery shopping
I pulled my buggy
Along the sidewalk,
Heading for home.

Then suddenly
I saw below me
A big black ant
Crawling on the pavement.

In her mandible
She grasped a morsel;
I could see she too
Was transporting her supper home.

But she was about to be
Squashed under a wheel
Of my cart;
Fortunately I was paying attention,

And so I was able
To avoid crushing her,
So that she could
Continue on safely
With her load,
As I did with mine.