On desert dunes, I stroll alone,
Amidst a sea of burning stones.
Beneath the fiery sun's relentless glare,
I walk endlessly, with words of prayer.
I stop to rest under a Bodhi tree,
A fragrance of the unsettled sea.
Filling my goat skin bag with care,
Collecting water for the arduous affair.
Under the weathered trees, I find a capsule small,
My heart fills with curiosity and bliss, enthralled.
A window to darkness, it seems to be,
A soothing sound breaches through, setting me free.
Whispering a dialect, a forgotten gift,
Nostalgia bridges this barren drift.
Tightening the chains around my hand,
Should I let misery bloom or bury it in sand?
Continuing my course, I decided to stride,
Embracing the unknown, with hope as my guide.
Analysis and reflection
Similar to the story about Khutalens Steppe. This piece follows a young man who walks across the burning sands of the desert. He is the personification of time.
Here are some of my ideas to expand on its themes, motifs, or the overall style
Walking alone on the desert dunes paints a picture of isolation, endurance, and contemplation. Deserts often symbolise the soul’s journey through hardships or personal reflection, setting the scene for an inner pilgrimage.
When I was younger, I was recommended a very popular book called "The Alchemist". Now, the book has mixed reviews, and over the years I've found myself returning to some of the concepts. I must also add, a new book cover was introduced a while back, it really elevated the alchemic messaging.
The protagonist’s use of "words of prayer" amid the harsh landscape suggests a spiritual anchor, providing solace and strength during this difficult journey.
It reflects a connection to faith or inner strength when faced with adversity.
Encountering the Bodhi Tree
Known as the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, the Bodhi tree here symbolizes knowledge, peace, and inner clarity. In this context, it offers the protagonist a moment of relief, contrasting with the harsh desert—a respite of wisdom in the midst of a harsh journey.
"Fragrance of the Unsettled Sea"
This line adds a layer of mystery and nostalgia. The “unsettled sea” suggests a past unresolved, while the fragrance evokes memories and an emotional pull, as if the protagonist is haunted by memories that are as vast and unfathomable as the ocean.
Discovery of the Capsule
Finding a small capsule under the weathered trees introduces a mystical or surreal element. I remember time capsules serving as a memory bank, that you would bury under the ground and find 10 years later. Conceptually this is sound, but long-buried memory that emerges unexpectedly? Or you find somebody else's memory?
A window to something darker but freeing, implying that delving into forgotten or suppressed parts of oneself can offer release.
Themes of Memory and Nostalgia
Whispering Dialect: The sound from the capsule speaks in a "forgotten gift," evoking nostalgia and the bridge between past and present. The dialect may symbolize a connection to a past life, culture, or part of the protagonist’s identity that has been neglected or lost over time.
- The Burden of Misery: The speaker questions whether to "let misery bloom or bury it in sand," indicating an inner conflict between facing past sorrows or moving beyond them. This line touches on the human tendency to carry emotional burdens and the choice between reckoning with them or leaving them behind.
The Journey Continues with Hope
- Chains and Choices: The “chains around my hand” illustrate the feeling of being bound to one’s own emotions or past traumas. The act of “tightening the chains” suggests a conscious engagement with this burden, while the choice to continue walking represents resilience and an openness to change.
- Embracing the Unknown: By embracing the unknown with “hope as my guide,” the protagonist’s journey becomes a path of trust and growth, embracing life’s uncertainties rather than being defined by past experiences.
Tone and Style: A Contemplative Farewell
- Gentle Epilogue: Ending with “Thank you for watching and reading” offers an unusual, almost conversational farewell, giving readers the impression of a shared experience. It brings the poem from the personal to the universal, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys.
- Minimalist Language with Mythic Undertones: The sparse, straightforward language mixed with symbols like the Bodhi tree and desert dunes give the poem a mythic, contemplative tone. Each image carries a weight of meaning, allowing the reader to contemplate life’s trials, the value of hope, and the courage it takes to move forward.
