The Pilgrimage I Must Have Dreamed Before
by
James Shammas
(Age: 44)
copyright 08-09-2005
Age Rating: 10 to 127
I see them dotted along the freeway. They inch their way from place to place, thumbs pointed humbly in the vapid air, their toes pushed over the shoulder line, where the rest of the world speeds past, with a purpose I've probably jotted down, too. Maybe I've tucked it hastily in a purse, portable with the rest of me, as I speed past, blushing behind the tight-gripped wheel.
I feel better in my Mercedes, where the purr of the steely engine smooths out the awkward thumping in my breast, reminding me I'm on my way to a far away place: to the abbey of Gethsemani--in Kentucky-- home of the trappists in their black and white, where Thomas Merton still lay cloistered, uniting Eastern and Western minds.
At the front gate, between the stone walls, the retreat director tips my valet, who oddly looks like my twin brother-- looking older than me-- and who I thought I saw standing somewhere along Interstate 75. I didn't see him, my pointed eyes glued to the dash. But that's OK; he'll drive my car back, and somehow-- amid the silence of my cell-- we'll both talk of going home.
Standing over Merton's grave is a sign that the Dalai Lama once knelt there, bidding homage his twin master. I later dream of universal truth and praise The Monastic Inter-religious Dialogue, ponder the bodhi tree and the Cross, then observe all those who sit, stand, and walk, with mindfulness the way humans were made, looking-- after all-- not unlike me. I surmise we all have a twin-- moreover-- that all those hitchhikers were me.
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Unlike Brian, I see this as saying, even though we seem solitary and individualistic in our ego, logical fantasy-driven, illusionary minds - we spiritually and by some cosmic energy are each other.
I gotta tell ya' there is a lot going on here, especially the duality part, call it, "Yin/ Yang," or whatever you want to call it. The references are well taken. Also, hitchhikers get free rides (for the most part). Lots of people want to get free rides from others and go through life "leeching." In the highway of life, nothing is free, one ends up paying the price, one way or the other. I can definitely identify with the psychological part of this piece. And that's my interpretation.
I did change the title and revised this quite a bit, to make it more "accessible," based on Deone Wiley's comments. I agree, too, that this is more like prose or at least a prose poem.
I guess that being able to read what you want in a poem is what makes it worth the read. This piece of prose, I feel is about the peoples transformation into a higher being. We find that we all are really the same in the end.(ie: they look like twins) Life shows us this, but with our blinders on we do not see the obvious. Lots to think about is the truth! Good write and if that was not what you meant, it proves my first point about how the reader must find their own connection to a work. Therefore a poem that can be somewhat universal, will appeal to more readers! Thanks,. Anthony
I'm sorry but i have no idea what this poem is about. Is it a criminal headed for a prison, or what? How does the title relate to the poem? As far as hitchhikers is concerned there is no way I would ever pick one up. Not in today's society!
This for me reinforces the idea that we are all existing in our own private transparent bubbles.
We most times feel we are in, but not part of, the world.
The car is the prime example. The feeling of comfort and power it gives. It is of course an illusion.
Lots of food for thought in this piece.
Thank you, Brian
Welcome !
