4
Poetry
Ocean of Calm
Naqiyah Pittalwala
I am serenity,
My waves, waving their peaceful flags.
Motionless and oh so blissful,
But barely moving on.
What is this warm breeze I feel?
What is this hot wind of change?
It’s shredding my waves, chopping them up,
And making them rush along.
Irrefutable spirals of emotions,
in my swirls of water.
Calling forth a whirlpool of feelings,
That cannot help but alarm.
It’s lighting a fire of agitation,
Within my oceanic depths.
I can feel this burning distress,
pulse through my tide.
What is this anger, these raging embers,
Writhing my depths of calm?
Why is this emotion ravaging my heart?
Why do I feel my control failing?
Why is this anger so all consuming?
Why can I not feel my power?
My peace, my strength, my control,
Where has it all gone?
Where is that discipline with which
I bid my waves to destroy or behave?
My waves are blunt but so are they sharp,
They can cut and shred.
Not only can they wound,
They can also ravage and harm.
I do resent how sharp they are,
How hurtful they can be.
I do resent the guilt that comes,
Along with every casualty.
I draw on strength to hold my waves,
To return to the peace.