I did not know the incense storing temple;
fragrance percolating through the walls,
a floral note, hints of jasmine or rose since it’s smoke
not scent which is significant
in conveying the prayers of those faithful to gardens of Paradise,
I close my eyes
and meander through the cobblestone path,
come clouds, blue violet, fissures of brilliant light that enlightens—
embrace your wounded, put a flower in hair
and instill sword of faith in bosom so we may be warriors.
In the end, it will be belief in the eternal scales that will be life,
words floating seamlessly,
I am in constant awe of breath that flows in and out with reverence,
I weep, not because I am overwhelmed
but because the wind carries with it long and deep sighs,
it’s all messy, the world, the strands of hair, the thoughts, the heart;
I said to myself, conscious breathing is key,
so breathe, breathe, breathe until you feel the air running down
your throat,
close your mind and let not dolor, let not despair step foot into—
let them all float away, let them dissipate,
listen to the air coming through you and then back out,
taste the atmosphere serene surrounding you,
the very alchemy of meditation, the very alchemy of meditation.
The mind can go to a thousand different places,
my senses now aligned, right here, right this moment, I am whole.
Photo credits: Alex Azabache, “white and maroon templenear body of water,” pexels. Fair use.
Laura hosts at dVerse and invites us to select one of the poems,using
the same title and imagine what the Poet has painted, bearing in mind
the impressions which have been conveyed.
I chose, “Stopping at Incense Storing Temple,” by Wang Wei.
Come join us! 💝
Posted for Poetics: “China– Kingdom of the Poem,” @ dVerse Poets Pub
You really made my day by your selection on the incense, I can really find how your followed the scent to your own world of passion and love.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
I love the aromas you created at the beginning – I can almost see the smoke rising and at the end it is all clearing – clear breath takes you clear to yourself!
Thank you so much, Laura 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt) 🌹
The incense poem was the perfect choice for you, Sanaa, and I love the appeal to the sense of smell in the opening lines. Excellent advice in the lines:
‘it’s all messy, the world, the strands of hair, the thoughts, the heart;
I said to myself, conscious breathing is key,
so breathe, breathe, breathe until you feel the air running down
your throat’.
Thank you so much, my dearest Kim 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Sanaa, you took the poem and created a whole world of scents that is all your own. Truly lovely my friend.
Thank you so much, Linda 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
‘the very alchemy of meditation’ – yes! I love this, because alchemy can turn lead into gold, and meditation can turn dark thoughts into light. A very beautiful interpretation.
Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
I burn incense daily and understand its effect and protective element. I like how you described the smoke from inhalation, what happened to it within you, and how both the smoke and you were transformed by it.
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
This is wonderful Saana. 💖 The world of fragrance and how the poems turns meditative with
“I said to myself, conscious breathing is key,
so breathe, breathe, breathe until you feel the air running down
your throat,”
Thank you so much, Helene 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
You have transformed words into an “alchemy of meditation” Sanaa. Beautifully done.
Thank you so much, Dora 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
LOVED this interpretation. And this advice: “so breathe, breathe, breathe until you feel the air running down
your throat” The ending is a revelation and I will stop at your temple again! ✨🙏✨
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Tricia 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
You wrote a wonderful poem Sanaa. I really loved these lines…
put a flower in hair
and instill sword of faith in bosom so we may be warriors.
In the end, it will be belief in the eternal scales that will be life,
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
I use incense at home and I was immediately drawn into the scents evoked by your words. This was so beautifully done, I felt your words course through me
“…taste the atmosphere serene surrounding you,
the very alchemy of meditation, …”
almost felt my head loll I was so into your words by then. This is simply stunning, Sanaa.
Thank you so much, Raivenne 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Fantastic, Sanaa. I really loved this line –
Because to me it hints at a sword going through one’s bosom…
<3
David
Thank you so much, David 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
It’s like you’ve taken the reader between the lines of the original to present the full experience. Wonderful.
Thank you so much, Ken 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
This is evocative of what I imagine, being at that Temple would be like. I like how the phrase, “conscious breathing is key” seems to be the turn in the poem, where the experience is personalized.
Thank you so much, Tzvi 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
I read your poem first thing this morning and now feel totally prepared for the day – the calming and centring of meditation is written in such a wonderful way,
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Marion 😀 so glad you liked it! 💄❤️