Author: Reena Saxena

A portion of the Grateful Dead’s only Top Ten charting album In the Dark was actually recorded with the lights out, but this segment never made onto the album.  The album was recorded in an unusual fashion, because the band was constantly touring and they had a lot of the new material that they had been playing live for several years, so they decided to record the basic tracks live on stage in an empty auditorium.  Playing without an audience just to themselves was an experiment for them.

Drummer Mickey Heart said that they set their equipment up onstage, but there was no audience and as they were looking at each other, he came up with the idea to turn the lights off.  He told the equipment guy, “On my signal, turn the lights off”.  Mickey didn’t tell anybody else, about his joke.  When the signal was given, the lights went…

these times weigh heavily
cries for safety all around
our minds, our bodies and our souls left craving

take me where

physically…
a feeling of weightlessness
serenity
ease confronting life

emotionally…
being buoyant almost
lifted up without effort
naturally

mentally…
shining even under cover
penetrating the brain
awakening a path forward

…i can get my fill

Yes, the recent times are undoubtedly challenging, but

It’s not time for sulking.

There’s definitely light at the end of the dark tunnel,

Be aware of the energy freewheeling in your inner channel.

Buckle up, let your spirits up,

For it’s time to rejoice,

Listen to your inner voice.

Break off the gloom,

Let your inner goodness bloom.

Remember, happiness is within you.

Revel in the power of togetherness

with family and friends,

Create incredible memories.

It’s time for celebration, for

You’re still alive and kicking.

Let that thought bring back your lost smile.

It’s never the end,

unless you thought it to be.

_____________________________________

For Reena’s Exploration Challenge #161

Tale Weaver #301

Reena is the host of Reena’s Exploration Challenge

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #161

Welcome back to light!

PROMPT #161

We celebrate Diwali – the festival of lights in India, while America celebrates a new President.

Light can mean different things to different people, just like the election results in any country.

James Baldwin says,

One discovers the light in the darkness,
 that is what darkness is for;
 but everything in our lives depends
 on how we bear the light.
 It is necessary, while in darkness,
 to know that there is a light somewhere,
 to know that in oneself,
 waiting to be found, there is a light.
 What the light reveals is danger,
and what it demands is faith.

I invite you to meditate on light this week, and share your take on the subject.

The piece you generate can be fiction, poetry…

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #160-

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #160

PROMPT #160

I give you a situation this week.

You go down in a lift that doesn’t stop for hours. When it finally opens, what do you see?

HELLUCINATIONS?

We,

the law-abiding
justice-seekers, call us fools or whatever…
Crammed in a lift going down. It may take hours we are informed. We don’t mind if it takes months or years, so long the door opens to the justice we are seeking.

Though at present things are looking grim as always we can’t afford to lose hope we, the die-hard optimists are prepared for the worst but hope for the best
Finally the lift stops.

The door opens,

‘Welcome to the fool’s paradise’

we are cheered by

the skeletons of the previous justice seekers.

Am I hallucinating?