Our bodies
carry our biographies
she says.
Her voice gentle and soothing
as she instructs us into
a yoga pose.
The walls are green
a mix of
The walls are green
a mix of
jade and avocado.
Our bodies remember
where we have been
and who we are.
They hold the scars and shame.
I breathe
and remember the collisions
of my soul.
Does my body remember
when I've been beaten,
even though my scars have faded.
Does it remember despair and hunger
in my darkest moments.
I was a fearless young girl
that followed her heart.
I have traveled the road
of humiliation and determination,
highs and lows.
My body remembers
the joy of the birth of my children,
holding them for the first time
as my soul lifted.
holding them for the first time
as my soul lifted.
The sorrow of my parents dying,
the conflicts of religion
and spirituality .
The hopscotch between
two continents
that were once both home to me.
How I felt anxiety and loneliness
until I built a new world.
My soul rises,
it's always known where I belong
and how I feel.
I always knew,
never needed to search
for my identity.
I am complicated,
a contradiction
a survivor.
I have always followed
my heart.
My words have guided me,
lifted me,
gave me a voice.
I wish to leave the words behind
not half truths
but honest confessions.
I want to wear my shame
as well as I wear my triumphs.
My love will linger in my
boys hearts and
on my lovers lips.
My love is what defines me.
My soul rises,
it's always known where I belong
and how I feel.
I always knew,
never needed to search
for my identity.
I am complicated,
a contradiction
a survivor.
I have always followed
my heart.
My words have guided me,
lifted me,
gave me a voice.
I wish to leave the words behind
not half truths
but honest confessions.
I want to wear my shame
as well as I wear my triumphs.
My love will linger in my
boys hearts and
on my lovers lips.
My love is what defines me.
Maria has us searching out our identity---answering one of a few questions: Who are you and whom do you love? What else are you, that no one has seen before? Describe a morning you woke without fear. What lingers when all is said and done?
a wonderful close ayala - and some lines that really resonated with me... the always following your heart and the wearing the shame as well as the triumphs... it's the sum of all that happens that makes us who we are..and that is so precious
ReplyDeleteEverything we go through sure has its place to show
ReplyDelete'the collisions of my soul' . . . loved that line. I felt the strength emerge through this.
ReplyDeleteI feel the strength and determination in this poem. The fact that your soul has risen despite scars and conflicts speaks volumes about your persevering attitude.
ReplyDeleteOh I love how you spin this down to the last kernel of absolute truth. And yes, our journey through the light and the dark places in life, those are times that mark us, and make us. Keep following your beautiful heart.
ReplyDeletewhat a powerful statement on wearing your shame as well as you wear your triumphs....love is...hopefully what truly defines us...but what we give and what we take...
ReplyDeleteI really love how you start with your body at the yoga class and progress to the inner core of what you are.. really very good, and terribly honest
ReplyDelete"I want to wear my shame / as well as I wear my triumphs." - great lines!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the honesty of the words, the mixture of negative and positive memories, which are indeed what makes us who we are. One of my favorite poems of yours.
This beautiful poem speaks loudly of true strength and what defines us....a truly powerful poem Ayala!
ReplyDeleteI admire your strength, Ayala. Such a life....
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Ayala ~ Its been a pleasure and joy to know you through your words ~ Have a lovely week ~
ReplyDeletemy soul rises - what a lovely line - beautiful poem - K
ReplyDeleteLovely, Ayala, and beautiful read aloud. I loved it.
ReplyDelete"love is what defines me. "should define us all... lovely
ReplyDelete"I am complicated,
ReplyDeletea contradiction
a survivor"
So much bravery and honesty in this. Lovely~
I thought this was a beautiful testament - thank you for sharing it, it gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteAs almost a constant student of constant movement in action as i travel this life now..instead of walking and talking head as such..
ReplyDeletei find the roadmap of truth does lie for TRUTH..in the body of the temple of what holds the truer me...
i think we do love more when we do connect to the body memory of what we are as core of humans when we attach the body with mind..that can be lost in this..world of reason as such..
Hope ya enjoy the world of Yoga in connection of mind and body..
The opening of it..and complete acceptance..is just another way of unconditional love to me now2...;)
You are quite a woman; and poet!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
I love the honest expression through out and i find great strength behind the lines "I am complicated, / a contradiction / a survivor."...and the close is stellar Ayala...
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. The body does remember and you are a survivor, and more - you transcended.
ReplyDeleteThe melody of love would be sung forever..................................lovely poem
ReplyDeleteYes...I identify. I do think we are known by what and who and how we love. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteGood poem. I like the dual and conflicting cultures and the story of survival. You are right. You are defined and remembered by those you love and touch.
ReplyDeleteOh Ayala, this poem was soul stirring. There were several poignant moments that I enjoyed : "hopscotch between two continents" and "our bodies carry our biographies." Evocative imagery throughout. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA deeply moving poem Ayala and among the many loving attributes that describe you it is a poem about a survivor.
ReplyDeleteyou've reveal so much here... thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI see you as the quintessential mother, Ayala. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDear Ayala, a brave and fully sustained piece which really touched me - Thank you... With With Wishes Scoitt
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and brave response to the prompt: from the mundane detail of yoga class to the soaring survivor's song of triumph (and sadness and resilience). Some really moving lines, especially:
ReplyDeleteI wish to leave the words behind
not half truths
but honest confessions.
I want to wear my shame
as well as I wear my triumphs.
Beautiful write. And you are such a beautiful soul. xx
ReplyDeleteThe words of a brave soul. :-) This is a compelling piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful Ayala. Many layers here - layers of openess and catharsis.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. So much truth revealed. I especially love this passage:
ReplyDeleteMy words have guided me,
lifted me,
gave me a voice.
I wish to leave the words behind
not half truths
but honest confessions.
I want to wear my shame
as well as I wear my triumphs.
Thank you.
After all is said, Love is what we are. You've written a beautiful poem here. How wonderfully you describe yourself.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Ayala. Made my eyes mist.
ReplyDelete