Inspired Malady

Can you hear it?

Can you hear the melody of my malady?

Can you feel its rumble resonate through my body?

Can you feel it brewing in the kettle of my mind?

You’re lying here

In the warmth of my chest

Struggling to breathe

Resting in the calm of my skin

Spirit exhausted with disease

Can you feel the bitter cold of my distance?

Can you feel the mindless schism between you and me?

Can you feel me running after inspiration?

When the inspiration is you?

You’re struggling to breathe

Your disease is a cold

A cold virus that’s old

As Life itself

Like I’m struggling to breathe

My disease is a cold

A cold borne in the abyss of the bottomless, endless, festering Swamp of Mindlessness

A pool that’s old

As Man himself

I hush you to sleep

Rest, I tell you, my child

And your cold is no more

“Wake up!” You yell back

Your one-year-old eyes open wide

Face tired

Body exhausted

Head raised from the comfort of my chest

“Wake up!

Out of your mind!

Off your device!

Out of your swamp!

Out of your kettle!

Here with me!

Stop fucking around!

Wake up and your cold is no more”

You rest your head back on my chest

You fall asleep

I close my eyes

Mind quiets

Your body at ease

Son, you honor me

You bless me with your peace

And your sweet melody

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This is dedicated to my son and guru. He was around one when he got really sick. He was lying on my chest as I lay in my bed struggling with a cold. I was in a wandering state of the mind, between mindless exploration of my device, trying to care for my son, and looking for inspiration. My son raised his head. He looked at me. I dropped my device. I was looking for inspiration when inspiration was literally in my arms. I was suffering mindlessness when peaceful presence was there for me to simply realize. And this poem came to me soon after. Did I mention I love being a dad?