I agree with Anne Marie. That one line sticks out to me, as well, for some reason. It kind of throws off the balance and flow of the rest of the poem. Your imagery, however, is so haunting and superb. You really caught and kept my attention with this piece!

This is spooky, because there is no sense of clarity as to who/what the predator is and no escape for the prey. The chosen one doesn't want to be "it," but the predator(s) don't ask for opinions. They remind me of the little furbie things that were on earlier episodes of Star Trek - that multiplied like amoeba, getting into everything, everywhere. They were benign, but this predator appears more controlling. Great images, Ashok, I'm not sure I want to find out what these things really are.
~Chelle~

This is a beautiful struggle, as a matter of fact, it is the heart of the struggle to become yourself. The intending self is never present without having first been created by a quality impression. Even then, the other selves are so much more powerful having been around for so long, creating links after links in the chain of their associations “Creating energy sources, without With every thing, phenomenal Metamorphosing into selves Selves by selves, undetected Making ME their permanent home” – that they are undetected is such a large obstacle, the biggest obstacle in fact. For how can one become anything if he can’t see that he is not to begin with? When he does SEE and does RESOLVE, only then can the war be waged, “I circumscribe my circulation Realizing the mechanism of their being Avoiding a street corner here Ignoring an energy provider there To one of them they are all bound to lead ME” – Yes, their energy sources are more than just abundant, they are EVERYWHERE we look, everywhere we go, since everywhere we have been has become an energy source to one self or another at some point, where is the escape? How can you escape from your unwanted selves when they are so deep rooted within you, when they are so a part of who you have unintentionally and blindly become without any real choice. Well, the only way to win their associations and eradicate them is to UNDO their energy sources, by first “realizing the mechanism” and then “circumscrib(ing) my circulation”. Limiting one’s circulation is only a practice I should think, that will also limit the energy powering any one self associated with that situation/association. Once the association is won back by the intending self, the same energy source no longer powers the unwanted self since the association, the link, is undone…broken so to speak. Oh how difficult a struggle it is to really LIVE when we have only one weak intending self and so many multitudes of unwanted selves that are so tricky and so cleverly disguised as justifications and who appear most of the time without our knowledge, without us SEEING them sneeking in through a veil of boredom or lethargy, or blankness, “follow(ing) me where ever I go I try and hide They are already there Playing hide and seek”. Yes, this is a war, and the intending self must be an impeccable warrior, shocking himself DEEP within the subconscious each time he recognizes the rise of an unwanted self. This is the only way to take back the energy source for himself, slowly winning back the associations that belong rightfully to him. I know this because I too am struggling “As I let them play 'I' Appearing and disappearing In the garbs, I don't like”. This is an amazing write Ashok, as always high marks to you on every count.

A well penned piece, Ashok, with a mystic air of intrigue...I read "They" as being the sub-conscious self. Am I correct? Thought provoking as always :)

Each one of them is an attachment that takes the "I" when the craving overtakes the "now". To overcome them is one of the most valiant endeavors in the search for peace. Beautifully illustrated verse that teaches and fills the soul.

This is a fascinating poem. Thank you for Sharing. Sorry I've been hiding for a while, but I'm back now.

Very thought-provoking piece, Ashok. I have read it four times, each time seeing and hearing a bit more. I think I can best comment by examining myself. When I am not very spiritually centered it is as if my self is cottony, soft, permeable by others and by my own imaginings of others. I might see them at the moment as wise or wiser than I, but when I get back to my Center, I need not feel assaulted by others nor feel shame. Then I can reach out with my authentic self in peace and love. Thanks for your stimulating and inspiring poem.

reading this reminded me of schizophrenia, particularly the last three stanzas. very intriguing read and very haunting... it will leave me thinking for a while.

A paranoia I know all too well. Beware the ID that is ME!