Collective prompt of poetry
The Journey Called 2021
What Am I letting go of in 2021?
Too vague, the opening lines of our play-on-words — hurtful retort rocking me to the core. Helpful words or set in their ways of how things should be, this too shall I let go and all the other hurtful words — actions rhyming dis-harmoniously from the right-winged and the left — blindly forgetting they are the same bird.
Years come and go, some more hurtful than the next — this year, especially cranked up like a series of fifteen-inch sub-woofers pounding penetrating bass into our core. Still, in cautionary tales of last year’s pandemic scares — of loss, more violence and fighting amongst family members senselessly for what one believes to be true.
Standing firmly in one’s own — self-realizing knowing and unknowing of life’s greatest mysteries, none other than the human construct — creative realities of individualization. Letting go of past — hurtful branches of a deeply rooted tree — cutting off rotting limbs from the remaining — making room for greater blossoming — springtime’s promise to another spurt.
Empty-handed, hollowed-bones — room for whatever is thrown in our direction, allowing things to remain, repel or hover about in mysterious fashion without ever fully understanding — of its arrival. Going with the flow — like winds directional calls, singing and dancing to various tunes — entering and passing through the deepest caverns of our soul.
What am I letting go of in 2021?
Not a thing — for there is no longer a clinging to what-ifs and whatnots, expectations of how everything shall turn out — remaining in mystery, enjoying the passing of time itself — there will be those who challenge these words — so be it. Greater is the soul — freely moving about — even in the face of adversity.
No discredit to those falling victim to co-workers lashing out — carrying evil spirits wherever they go — or the loss of a loved one to senseless crimes not understood. Echoed through the media — pouring more fear into our homes — cutting off the power cords to negatives favorite song.
We stand among each other — naked and afraid — vulnerable to those who bow to the wicked tongues, offering daily reminders to the right-winged and left — being a part of a greater body. The left and right cannot fly without returning to the body of kindness — for those unwilling, remaining grounded in their misery.
Pictures books, scrapbooks, memories of ill-fated truth — letting go of chapters before, this twenty-twenty-one included — rejoicing on how far we have come — we have arrived. What good is dwelling over the old pictures, ancient as the saber-toothed tiger going instinct — nothing has changed from then to now.
One story, none different than the next — varying characters and thematic squeals of echoing song — return to kindness. Looking inwardly, finding truth — singing a new song into brighter days of twenty twenty-two.
~Ani Po
Infinite gratitude for the multitude of thoughts creating these words. Libby Shively McAvoy toasting the year end of challenging times, Yana Bostongirl and her reminder of letting go of hurtful reminders, Sujona Chatterjee for offering a reflective prompt into self — a year not forgotten and Lifeline for housing these words.
