Haikus for Tuesday
Such solid advice,
To always breathe... in... and out.
And: hard to apply.
Fiery news burns,
No matter which way I turn.
Turn the dial. Breathe.
Phone face down. Sound off.
This, too, will cultivate calm.
The pull's still mighty.
Let me try again.
Phone off. Breathe in... out... in... out...
I whisper: "steady."
My personal word of the year is steady, so these haikus are a note to myself about all I know, but still struggle with - turning off my phone, turning away from the news, turning toward calm (like breathing).
I'm always amazed at how much can be conveyed in a haiku. I love how you've put several together to form a longer poem that tells a story that I think so many of us can relate to right now. My news consumption motto right now is information for the sake of action only. If I can take action on a news item (volunteer, donate, call a rep), I want to know about it. If I can't take action, then I would prefer not to know! I love being informed--but don't love the anxiety and high blood pressure that is now being triggered by the horror show!
ReplyDeleteWow, Elisabeth - I so appreciate the wisdom in "information for the sake of action" - that phrase really resonates, and I'm carrying it forward. Thank you.
DeleteSuch wisdom! Thank you for sharing this practice that is so powerful.
ReplyDeleteI am really concerned that we won't be able to sustain the energy needed for this long-game fight for democracy is we burn out. (And I absolutely know that some folks WANT us to burn out!) Here's to phones away and here's to breathing practices.
DeleteThat's a great word for 2025 - - steady! Breathing, walking, reacting, everything. Mine is enough. I'm learning the fine art of knowing on so many levels what is enough.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kim, I love that. "Enough". I agree, so many important and meaningful ways to interpret that word. I will be tucking it into my writing notebook. Thank you.
DeleteI whisper "steady" is such a powerful line. I often need to remind myself to breathe, and you capture the necessity of breathing perfectly in your haiku blitz.
ReplyDeleteI love how you weave the idea of breath through these haikus. I especially love the first haiku--good advice, but hard to apply!
ReplyDelete