Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mid-Week Global Poetry Series-Alexandra Sands


[Alexandra Sands is a retired Public Health nurse who has worked for many years with the homeless, drug addicts and prison inmates in New Mexico. She is also my best friend and sister in spirit]


Watching the tiniest spider weave her invisible web,
  heart breathless in throat
      (how is it I feel one with such a being?)
The tiny speck hurdles salt grain boulders
                to fall again
                   to try again.

Does anyone watch my minuscule struggles,
       breathless heart in throat?

[Mid-Week Global Poetry series showcases guest poets and poetesses from around the world, in the hope that our combined rhythms may create, not just art, but more love and friendship across boundaries. If you want to submit your poem to this series, please email me bhavana.upadhyaya at gmail dot com. All submissions are subject to review]
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49 comments:

  1. magiceyeJune 13, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    Does anybody need to watch?
    Beautiful ode to all those unsung heroes of our society!!

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 3:44 AM

      magiceye...I felt it, too, as tribute to the unsung heroes...many of whom I have met on this site. I've just always wished to know there is macro, as well as min....thank you for your much demonstrated sensitivity...Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:12 AM

      I have witnessed and continue to witness those miniscule struggles and yes, with breathless heart in throat...Alex.

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  2. AmitAagJune 13, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    You and your friend, Bhavana! Great minds think alike...a nice tribute indeed!

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 3:53 AM

      Amitjag....what a compliment! My life has been so enriched by my friendship with Bhavana....thank you for keeping her company on line...Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:12 AM

      Amitji!!! Don't tease me:)

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    3. AmitAagJune 15, 2012 at 10:50 AM

      I swear on my life, Bhavana, I respect you for the work you are doing, and I literally meant what I said:)

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    4. BhavanaJune 15, 2012 at 12:31 PM

      Thank you, Amitji!! I truly appreciate that!!! Thank you!

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  3. AnonymousJune 13, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    i know exactly how it feels, but the way these lines portray it is so perfect.

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:03 AM

      Subhorup Dasgupta.....so you have gotten lost in the drama, too.....thank you for reading, and the compliment from a poet....Alexandra

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  4. abhinavrJune 13, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    That's Great! And beautiful lines..

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:13 AM

      Abhinav....what a gift, to be introduced so beautifully into this blog, and to be welcomed so warmly.. I've been a touch overwhelmed all day.. Alexandra

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  5. Priya VK SinghJune 13, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    the strange thing is that when steps back even temporarily from the world of men, the conviction grows stronger that someone is watching one's "minuscule struggles, breathless heart in throat" even as the struggle itself begins to look less and less daunting ----- beautifully crafted lines ----thanks for sharing, Bhavana

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:21 AM

      Priya VK Singh....you give me hope, with such strong belief....it does go into my heart. And to hear the struggle can look less daunting is no less than joyous....stepping back, the way...thank you so much...Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:13 AM

      So true, Priyaji. I have been finding my own struggles less and less daunting--I feel watched and appreciated by some power above:)

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  6. RajeshJune 13, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Great personality.

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:32 AM

      thank you, Rajesh...I was just enjoying your photos, too....Alexandra

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  7. MakJune 13, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    "to fall again..to try again" very imressive work Alexandra.
    Great initiative Bhavana. All the best. Hope to contribute.

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:39 AM

      Hi, Mak....very, very kind words....I look forward to your Wednesday poem. We can inspire each other, through Bhavana's Mid-week Global Poetry...maybe it won't take me another 10 years to write a poem :-))
      Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:14 AM

      Mak, nice:) Do send your piece in.

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  8. PanchaliJune 14, 2012 at 12:41 AM

    While reading your poetry, it struck me that spiders must be amongst the most resilient of creatures around.... truly they are amazing, they spin beautiful webs with such dexterity!!
    Kudos to ur friend...may her tribe increase...
    Loved this Bhavana..:))

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    1. AlexandraJune 14, 2012 at 4:52 AM

      panchalibolchi...isn't it amazing to look closely at any being, to put ourselves in their worlds...but spiders do catch me in their web. Thank you so for kudos, and wish....my tribe just did increase....Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:15 AM

      Am so glad you liked it, Panchali!

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  9. RachnaJune 14, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Bhavana -- This was really profound. Alexandra, indeed how many times do we see these difficult struggles around us. Well put and in such few words. I am in awe of those who can weave magic with verse.

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    1. BhavanaJune 14, 2012 at 11:16 AM

      Me too, Rachna!!! I love and adore poets and photographers. My attempt at both is at best mediocre. That is why this series--to enjoy the good poets and to share my joy with others:)

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    2. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 9:50 AM

      Rachna....you're right....so many struggles....the poem came out meaning more than I though, of which I am in awe....thank you for your kind words....Alexandra

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  10. Rahul BhatiaJune 14, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    Beautiful depiction of a life's struggles through this poetic weave of a spider's tale

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    1. alexandraJune 15, 2012 at 9:53 AM

      Rahul...Love the "spider's tale" a perfect title...Thank-you!! Alexandra

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  11. Found In FolsomJune 14, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    So simple, yet so meaningful....loved it

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 10:02 AM

      Found in Folsom....thank you for reading, and for reaching out...I'm glad more are reading Bhavana and all in this country! (also for your list of blogs) Alexandra

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  12. FredjeevJune 14, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    The depth of thought in those beautiful lines,
    Who else could they be but thine.
    Word by word, thy thoughts do bind,
    with thy name "Alexandra" signed.
    In prisons and life's darkest alleys
    inspiration have you found daily,
    what more would a person ask
    yet more such lines from thee...

    Thanks Bhavana for bringing such delight to light.

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 10:12 AM

      VST...wow...I am humbled.....what lovely words and thoughts. You just can't help but write poetry, I bet! I will save your lines for a rainy day cheering, so thank you very much....Alexandra

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  13. BikramJune 14, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    beautiful poem.. looking at that struggle shud give us individuals so much motivation that if we work hard and with all our heart we can achieve what we want tooo ..

    Bikram's

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 10:43 AM

      Bikramjit...I see, we should not just shudder at the falls, but visualize the triumphs! Thank you for putting this lesson into words, with such conviction...Alexandra

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  14. AnonymousJune 14, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    Though you may never know, someone may be watching and taking inspiration from your work.

    Lovely lines!

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 10:52 AM

      manjujoglekar...This is a wonderful thought...as the spider inspires with her work. Guess we just keep on spinning in good faith, even when it can seem so small...thank you for the encouragement...Alexandra

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  15. zephyrJune 14, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    I am clueless when it comes to poetry, though I can appreciate such lovely lines. Struggles are all epic but when it is something like that of a spider, it deserves special kudos. Loved it Alexandra. And a kindred spirit of my blog daughter is a kindred soul to me too :)

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 10:26 AM

      zephyr....I am glad to hear from you, as I know you a bit through your posts, and I am proud to be invited to kinship. Some days I see nothing but epic struggles, in all sizes...how we all echo each other...thank you for being here...Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 15, 2012 at 12:33 PM

      Thank you, blog-mother for gracing my space again with such sweet words. I always jump in joy when I see you here!

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  16. indu chhibberJune 14, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    Very inspiring lines,& such a valuable addition to IB.If a frail spider can do it,should anything be beyond us humans ?

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 11:11 AM

      indu chhibber....Beautiful...'should anything be beyond us humans?' How natural her drive and how complicated human nature....or should that be a distinction? thank you for stirring my thoughts even more Alexandra

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  17. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    beautifully written alexandra ,am impressed :)

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    1. AlexandraJune 15, 2012 at 11:15 AM

      alka narula....thank you for reading, and your kind words to a stranger in america :) Alexandra

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    2. BhavanaJune 15, 2012 at 8:00 PM

      Alka, this is your first comment on my blog. I am so pleased to see you here!

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  18. debajyotiJune 15, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    'Does anyone watch my minuscule struggles' - i loved this line!!!!! it got stuck in my head now :)

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  19. D.NambiarJune 16, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    The line that Deb's talking about seems to have so much pain in it.
    I liked watching spiders at work when I was little. A few days back I was reading 'A very busy spider' (Eric Carle) to my little one and I was thinking of all the hard work the spider does. Some times all that hard work happens to be in the corners of our living rooms and we destroy them so easily, because we have to keep 'our homes' 'clean.'

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    1. AlexandraJune 16, 2012 at 10:07 AM

      debajyoti and D.Nambiar...I started with 'does no one..' but that was just too sad. I love to watch our little jumping spiders in the summer (face to face yesterday!), and admit to not 'cleaning' their homes.
      Thank you both for reading, and for responding so warmly. Alexandra

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    2. 60miniJune 19, 2012 at 10:44 PM

      Beautiful poem. Beautiful blog. Thank you both. Love, Sharon

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  20. AlexandraJune 20, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    Thank you, Sharon, and well come to this space of open hearts and minds...Alex

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Thank you for taking the time to read through this post. Would love to hear back from you:):)

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