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I am just a drop of water
by Ashok ShardaI am just a drop of water
I am just a drop of water
In this ever flowing stream
I am here, one moment
There, the very next
Yet another, I am not.
Its sheer accident
As to where one is
At the top or at the bottom
Rising or colliding
Depending on the accident
Which brings one to
Where one is.
Joy is personal
And so is suffering
The river has no say in it.
The river arises from sources, many
Flowing into two distinct streams
We are part of the one, known
Flowing passively in the direction, known
Every drop has a purpose
In this stream
Purpose of the unknown, none of its own.
But thereÂ’s a gleam of hope
Distinct but remote
If one can consciously deny
OneÂ’s own denying selves
And jump into the parallel stream
By using the momentum of the stream
One is in.
09/03/2003 Author's Note: I derived this poem from a piece I wrote long ago, which has been posted separately in my folder-‘ something called esoteric’.
Posted on 09/03/2003
Copyright © 2024 Ashok Sharda
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 09/03/03 at 03:41 PM A very fluid piece that makes one think of the malleability of existence and how we perceive it. Excellent verse. |
| Posted by David R Spellman on 09/04/03 at 07:07 PM Very deep and quite thought provoking as is usually the case with your works. I may have to come back to this well again to drink of its refreshing water. Well done. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 09/04/03 at 07:16 PM Something I too have pondered from time to time, but never attempted to put into words. Yours goes beyond the basic journey, adding a unique perspective to the concept. Captivating read sir. |
| Posted by Kate Demeree on 09/06/03 at 02:47 AM Welcome Home.. My Beautiful Friend..... from one drop.. to the other..... *hugs* |
| Posted by Brian Francis on 09/06/03 at 04:49 AM And the wheel turns. life flows on.
great work.
-bf |
| Posted by Graeme Fielden on 09/06/03 at 03:46 PM a great poetic interpretation of your essay...nice to see you're writing again Ashok :) |
| Posted by Anne Engelen on 09/06/03 at 04:34 PM just a drop of water in a stream...the art is to feel like the stream instead of just that drop...such a fullfilling feeling to be able to feel beyond one's boundaries..such a fullfilling read :) |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 09/08/03 at 02:22 AM Philosophically poetic. The image of a river being made up of distinct drops of water with some purpose contrasting to an endless stream of drops, accidental and purposeless, quite symbolic and thought provoking. |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 09/08/03 at 03:18 PM And oh, the struggle. It is so much easier to be passive and flow with the river. But to become conscious, while it can be exceptionally difficult, offers a much fuller life. Very well said, Ashok. I so appreciate you. |
| Posted by Alex Smyth on 09/13/03 at 01:52 AM *smile* Well said! |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 09/14/03 at 04:15 AM "Every drop has a purpose/ In this stream/
Purpose of the unknown, none of its own." Can I quote you on that. So much wisdom in these lines. This poem is both thought-provoking and morally challenging. A prophet are you, my friend.
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| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 09/16/03 at 12:57 PM excellent!!!... it "flows" so well and is quickly "absorbed"... very truthful and inspiring... blessings... |
| Posted by Agnes Eva on 10/14/03 at 06:17 PM you are speaking of the possibility of a quantum leap here (as in Physics), this speaks to me of being rooted in nature (human nature/metaphoric Nature), both its chaos and its rules. these are my THOUGHTS ;) |
| Posted by Rula Shin on 01/21/04 at 03:58 PM This poem is captivating and beautiful. You eloquently describe the human condition with your lovely water metaphor, *I am just a drop of water In this ever flowing stream* The poem speaks of life and facts, yet the tone and choice of words elicit a profound feeling of sadness. *We are part of the one, known
Flowing passively in the direction, known
Every drop has a purpose In this stream* How frightening it can be to realize both the significance and insignificance of our existence all in the same moment. Is there any hope for choice? You show us that yes, there is a shadow of hope. In my opinion this is the most beautiful of the stanza's *If one can consciously deny One’s own denying selves And jump into the parallel stream By using the momentum of the stream One is in.* I not only like the imagery and the uplifting message, but I like how this last stanza makes you FEEL the near impossibility of this endeavor, the difficulty of this jump. I know that's not the point of the poem, but it's just another cool part of it :-)
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| Posted by Laura Doom on 07/14/04 at 11:16 PM My many selves will expend much energy splashing in the confluence of these conceptual streams. |
| Posted by Lauren Singer on 06/22/05 at 01:46 AM i love this muchly. |
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