Friday, January 17, 2014

The Difference between Water and a Wave

...But if a mirror ever makes
you sad

you should know
that it does
not know
you.
― Kabir


Kabir with a disciple

Kabir was an Indian mystic poet and saint who lived circa 1440–1518.

I have been thinking ...
by Kabir

I have been thinking of the difference between water
and the waves on it. Rising,
water's still water, falling back,
it is water, will you give me a hint
how to tell them apart?

Because someone has made up the word
"wave," do I have to distinguish it from water?

There is a Secret One inside us;
the planets in all the galaxies
pass through his hands like beads.

************

Keri is the Poetry Friday round-up host this week.

Next week, I will be inviting participation in my Directory of Imaginary Poems!


13 comments:

Donna Smith said...

Because someone has made up the word "wave"...
It took me a little bit to see how the last part fit.
Thanks for sharing this!

Author Amok said...

Hi, Tabatha. Thank you for that opening quote. I see a loose resonance with my post today on the words we use to describe people.

Linda B said...

I see Laura has been here, because I too saw a connection between your poem and the words about naming things. Thanks, Tabatha.

Robyn Hood Black said...

There are many special connections going on today, I think - having come from Jama's, then Michelle's - I still have many rounds to make (including Laura's), but what thoughtful posts. Tabatha, thank you for introducing me to this mystic poet I didn't know - that last stanza is beyond beautiful.

jama said...

How do you find all these amazing poets? Love that last stanza too. I'm turning it over and over in my mind . . .

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

Where can I get one of those Indian mystics for my very own? Love how, with just a few words, perspective is turned on its head.

Liz Steinglass said...

Wow. It's so intriguingly concrete and mind-blowing. I also really like the beginning about the mirror--you should know/that it does/not know/you. What amazing line breaks. Thanks for sharing this.

Tara said...

Those mystic poets - they pack so much meaning into such small spaces!

Diane Mayr said...

That mirror poem/quote is AWESOME! Truly, sometimes less is more.

Heidi Mordhorst said...

blah blah marking period 3 blah blah kindergarten schedule blah blah high functioning autistic blah blah 495 270 355 blah blah

There is a Secret One inside us.

Thank you, Tabatha, for having Kabir remind me about the beads...

Bridget Magee said...

Kabir is exactly what I needed to read today...especially the mirror poem. Thanks so much for sharing this, Tabatha! =)

Mary Lee said...

Thank you for reminding me that the mirror doesn't know me, and for showing me the Secret One inside me!

Carol Varsalona said...

Finding meaning in just a few words leads to deep pondering. Thank you, Tabatha.