Paddling on the Hudson

I wrote this poem while floating in my canoe on the Hudson River last Sunday. It illustrates my own mental health journey, and the ending is in reference to the event on Wednesday night where I will speak it out loud. For those interested, this Wednesday, June 25th, at 6:30pm in Kitch-A-Vibe located in Glens Falls, New York, the bi-weekly talent show will showcase many artists, poets, musicians, and a host of talented folks.

Paddling down the Hudson,

clear skies up ahead,

I ponder life’s meaning,

as the thought pops up in my head.

I used to be full of worry,

dark clouds obscuring my view,

But now I can breathe,

outside on my canoe.

Learning how to think,

releasing hold of tender thoughts,

was a journey of self-discovery,

and can’t be simply bought.

It involved letting go,

of the importance of every passing word,

and learning to be at ease,

with the mind finally being heard.

As I passed the endless trees,

sprouted along the water,

I began to think of before,

when my mind began to maunder.

The chaos of anxiety,

with the rippling effects of depression,

lead to an unnerving pressure,

of a life consumed with retrogression.

My mind thought that life was meaningless,

and in some ways, that’s true,

because life has endless possibilities,

and a lifetime can only hold a few.

But that is the beauty of our lives,

learning to find our passions,

and feeling a bit of satisfaction,

about our unique compassions.

The dark clouds in my mind,

have mostly disappeared,

as I continue to find strength,

in the community that persevered.

The world can be bleak,

in some ways, that’s true.

But you have to hold your head high,

to give hope to the few.

The vibes are positive,

that is clear tonight.

And we will see each other again,

in a short fortnight.