“‘The Answer to the Great Question … of Life, the Universe and Everything … Is … Is … Forty-two,’ said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.”
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Infinite majesty and calm.
How old will I be when I come to possess
infinite majesty and calm?
Try a different question.
How long will I sit in silence
before I arrive
at enlightenment?
Try a different question.
To be or not to be?
Nope. Not that one either (Though the answer is clear;
I’m still here)
Line up every question ever pondered from here to the moon,
every why am I
how do I
when will I
none of those will satisfy.
No answers will come from the asking.
Queue up 4’33’’ on your playlist
hear the buzz of machines
water moving through pipes
hear the creaking of chairs and joints and floorboards.
Tune it out .
Tune back in.
Tune it out. Tune back in.
Wax on, wax off.
Play the scales and arpeggios.
Change the key. Play again.
Swing and miss. Perfect hit. Swing and miss.
Plié, relevé, jeté.
First, second, third, forth fifth.
Nock, draw, loose.
Set em up, knock em down.
Tune it out. Tune back in
to the breath.
return to the breath
inhale
exhale
Is it working yet?
Am I doing it right?
Try another question. It’s OK. Start Again.
Infinite majesty and calm.
At forty-two, do I finally learn?
Try another.
What do I need?
What can I do, right now, to open
my brain
my heart
my soul
to joy, pain, wisdom, acceptance
Not even a question,
just an an intention
Today I can
inhale
exhale
write
revise
repeat
Ask me again when I’m 43.