I was writing in my journal this morning and flipped back to a page where I’d written a poem shortly after deciding to ride my bicycle to Brazil…
It was written on Oct. 26th, when a lot people were discouraging me from doing my trip, fearing for my life.
They were calling me, writing to me, sharing scary news reports about Mexico and Central America with me.
Now, as I stand on the brink of my adventure, I still hear the naysayers and the fearful, but I feel compassion for them, and if anything, I simply want to be safe so as to not cause undue suffering to those I love.
Regardless, it was kind of a cool poem, so I’ve shared it below:
Newspaper clippings
Of missing people
Dire warnings, dark reportings
Fear clutches at us all
With bony, creaking fingers
His grasp is tight, choking
We are left longing, hoping
Paralyzed, no action taken
We’re mesmerized by the horror stories
Our minds weave the gory tales
Though we long for glory
Adventure and daring feats
We can’t tear our eyes away
From Fear’s channel of defeat
We watch all the episodes
The reruns of hysteria
Yet our secret heart of hearts
Is sneaking out the back door
Tearing our draping fears apart
Rushing to get onboard
The freight train of the unknown
Taking us where the wind blows
Where intuition and synchronicity
Commandeer our ship
New friends await
New places to love
Where fear is just a seasoning
A pinch of spice
For our full, joyful lives
We eat and drink of this world
With gusto
As we never know
Which day may be our last
In a world so terrifying and beautiful.
Fear not. The angel of the world is with you, Jahnavi. Just be careful!
Beautiful poem Jahnavi! I have never experienced what you are experiencing, but when you face your fears straight on they usually vanish like smoke… And you find the best solution.
Thank you! I think you are right… 😉
rushing to get onboard, the freight train to the unknown.
Wishing you the best.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Ahhhhh…. 🙂
thank you for that
it seems like our society is filled with fear these days
and the reaction to fear – violence
i’m so happy to hear your words of sweet clarity and hopeful adventure
go jahnavi !! i’ll be tracking you