I wrote this poem in March of 2020. Some time has passed since then, and I have grown a lot. Both in skill and in character. There are some things that I would change about the poem to make it better, but I’ve decided to share it unaltered. Let it serve as something to compare my more current poems to.
The point is quite simple – it is a reminder that sometimes you need to slow down and live the moment. Be present where you are, and see the beauty in the world around you.
.
I walked along a winding path
In tense anticipation
I saw a bench, and moved on past
No time for static contemplation
.
“I needs must know what lies ahead”
My rationale dictated
It rang so loud within my head
All other thoughts were faded
.
I felt uneasy and perplexed
And both my hands were shaking
At every turn I was so vexed
My will and body almost breaking
.
The trees were rushing past me
Like walls on left and right
My breath was ragged – ghastly
Each step became a vicious fight
.
At last, there came a breaking point
I could not carry on
I felt a flame in every joint
All of my strength was gone
.
And then I fell, in agony
Submitting to the wind
It seemed a dire tragedy
With rage, my heart was filled
.
I lay there, empty, flaccid
Ready to despair
The dirt, it felt like acid
None of this felt fair
.
Then I let myself release
And simply lay in waiting
And out of nowhere, I felt peace
My pain and wrath abating
.
I saw a world of beauty
Around me, everywhere
Remembering my duty
I breathed the fresh, clean, air
.
It filled my lungs with fire
It gave me strength and life
I stood again, but higher
Forgetting all my strife
.
I turned around and shuffled
Looking all around
I was completely baffled
By what I had just found
.
I realized the green and blue
The branches and the stems
I saw the world completely new
As filled with precious gems
.
And then I found the bench again
And entered its’ embrace
It was to me a good old friend
Reminding me of grace
.
-Nikolay Terekhin
Vostak - Various Creations 