Close my eyes, inhale and exhale,
And listen to the rustle of the leaves
Sway in the light breeze, in prelude to winter;
No, I cannot do what I wish today-
Meditate in the hills beyond mountain trails
And spot sunlight flickers on soft blue lakes;
I still cannot do what I wish today-
Retreat into a corner wicker chair, chai in hand, curl up my feet-
Hush now, the temple bells do not yet toll for me,
I wander on each day and wish I had-
Defined space to call my own.
Author Bio:
Jayshree Misra Tripathi is an 'arranger of words' and a nomadic teacher since 1983. She has a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law. She worked briefly in print media in the 1980s and has been an examiner in English for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. As the spouse of an officer in India's civil services, she has lived and sometimes taught, overseas - across three continents, in diverse cultures - wherever vacancies existed and were permissible. Her interests include human rights for all and world 'news and views.' She considers herself to be a constant learner. Her published works include: "The Sorrow of Unanswered Questions" (International Centre for Ethnic Studies),
"Dilemmas and Scattered Weaves: Musings in Narrative Verse, Flash Vignettes of Travels through the Diaspora" (Quills Publishing), "Tales in Verse for Children Everywhere" Vols. 1 & 2.