Five steps to Nirvana

Posted on by Reena Saxena

A lovely façade in white and gold
Step on marble – shiny and cold
You look for someone, but hear no sound
Forget directions for the world is round
A bird chirps outside; tiny dogs bark

This hall looks like a library
Intellect beckons; is it a sanctuary?
A few empty shelves demand action
Reader, welcome! thoughts need traction
to be preserved for posterity in Noah’s Ark

Step into a dimly lit pathway
you wonder if the owner is away
Corridor of Truth, say faded alphabets
keep walking; don’t look for gates
you’re not yet there; just leave a mark

a place of worship; looks inactive
stained glass colours perspectives
you sense struggle, restlessness
godliness trapped, not in harness
strands of light crawling in the dark

now you reach the altar invincible
soul is whole; unbreakable, indivisible
you take so long to meet denizens
all expressions; no compression
molecules, atoms leading to quark

MTB: Writing the Five Directions

Inspiration: Five Directions to my House by Juan Filipe Herrera

22 thoughts on “Five steps to Nirvana”

  1. Is this poetry form is छायावाद/shadowism, Reena? ‘now you reach the altar invincible
    soul is whole; unbreakable, indivisible
    you take so long to meet denizens
    all expressions…’

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  6. This piques my curiosity, Reena. It takes me into my forties when I was dreaming and day-dreaming about sanctuaries; places of retreat; chapels without a roof”; turrets and ivory towers lined with books…

    Maybe I might dig them out and publish before I fade… inspired by your sharing!

    I feel I recognise some of your aspirations and questings, and I honour your seeings and sayings. Celebrate your open, curious heart!

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