I realize my monkey mind does not serve me; change is key
I realize my monkey mind does not serve me; change is key
Swing from tree to tree no more, I tame my restless energy
Swing from tree to tree no more, I tame my restless energy
Change is key, I realize; I swing from tree to tree no more
Tame my restless energy; my monkey mind does not serve me
~
Return to center, my roots, erasing e and y from monkey
Return to center, my roots, erasing e and y from monkey
Monk converted equals self-compassion, releasing my ego
Monk converted equals self-compassion, releasing my ego
Erasing e and y from monkey equals monk converted roots
Releasing my ego, my return to center, self-compassion
~
Focused breath work grows a mindful, peaceful existence
Focused breath work grows a mindful, peaceful existence
Inner critic silences, not a perplexing enigma; resurgence
Inner critic silences, not a perplexing enigma; resurgence
Not a perplexing enigma, resurgence silences inner critic
A peaceful, mindful existence grows focused breath work
~
I converted to monk, erasing e and y from monk(ey)
Key change: self-compassion, releasing my ego
Focused breath work equals my tame restless energy
"Swing no more from tree to tree" is not a perplexing enigma
My center return: I realize peaceful roots, a mindful existence grows
Resurgence: my inner critic silences; monkey mind does not serve me
~
Author's note: For this challenge, I used the Paradelle poem. Formatted correctly, line one is the same as line two, line three is the same as four, and lines five and six comprise only the words from lines one and three.
This pattern repeats in stanzas two and three.
Stanza four comprises only the words from the fifth and sixth lines of each of the previous stanzas.
A tricky poetry technique, but a fun exercise in strategic rephrasing
.
About the Creator
Marilyn Glover
Poet, writer, & editor, writing to uplift humanity. A Spiritual person who practices Reiki and finds inspiration in nature.
Mother of four, grandmother of two, British American dual citizen living in the States
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Comments (57)
I just learned about Monkey Mind today!
So very impressive to use the paradelle form and then absolutely loved the meat of it. Quite clever! Congratulations on the much-deserved win :)
At one point in my life. I was Monkey Mind Madness. The Police came to my house many times with guns out. They always left me in peace. I was just crazy. I entered a Buddhist temple. I learned to meditate. I learned MuShin, No mind. Then I returned to life and later when I had cancer I did walking meditation. I became Happy and smiled . . . Hugs to you.
Wow. So meaningful and well-structured.
This is NEXT LEVELS in terms of structure! Like I'd have to have an EXTRA special day with mega-energy left over to even make an attempt at a Paradelle. You pulled it off like you've been doing them for years. Great job Marilyn, and congratulations on your win!
Amazing!!! Back for the best of reasons! Congratulations, Marilyn! Your efforts paid off! So happy for you! 🤩
I enjoyed this beautiful, inspiring, and insightful piece. Congratulations, Marilyn, on this well-deserved recognition of your wonderful poem.
Congratulations Marilyn. Lessons in the art of implicit simplicity here. Your poem - form and phrase - burrows into the brain and makes a playden. I can't stop thinking about it.
Such a fun form! I'm so pleased this piece found its home as a winner in this challenge! Didn't you also enter it in the villanelle of regret? That's when I first read it, I think. I love how you wrought this subject, the change from monkey to monk; so clever! Your ability to use the words from lines 1 and 3 in 5 and 6 is truly astounding. I concur with the judges; this is a true winner. Congratulations, Marilyn!
Marilyn - I am just catching up on reading this latest round of winning poems and what a delight it is to see your name on the list, my new friend! Congratulations!! What an intriguing (new to me) form the paradelle is. The perfect vehicle for the subject matter you chose. Well done on a very well-deserved win! 👏🐒🧘
It was so lovely to view your work, a Paradelle is definitely a tricky format but you executed it very well! The repetition and topic reminded me of a pendulum swinging from the mundane, mechanical world to a peaceful, spiritual realm. Again, excellent execution of format!!
Wow! Great poem and a well-deserved win.
This is so fantastic, Marilyn! Such a very unique approach to this challenge. Reading this was like a mindful breathing exercise. Congratulations on the well-deserved win! 💙
congratulations on your win! felt the monkey swing then the monk be still.
Congratulations Marilyn, achievements poem and win!
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Ooooh, Marilyn, this poem is phenomenal - I don't know how I missed it. Congratulations on your BIG win! You and your poem are most deserving. Awesome work!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Very first off, well done and congratulations! I loved the repetitive rhythm of this poem. I could feel my breathing slow as I read it. I'm not sure I've seen this format before but I absolutely love it and I'm so glad you introduced it to us all. It's such an honor to have my work ranked alongside yours. (Though I think yours was listed first for a reason.)
What a fascinating and original approach to the challenge, Marilyn! It’s like an incantation, the rhythmic repetition like a Buddhist chant. Congratulations for winning this challenge with such an impressive entry!
I felt sad for a second that I didnt win because of my tragically fragile ego... then saw your name, AJs, Afros and Gina's and swelled with pride! well done, Marilyn! im so glad such a brilliantly unique piece got you the win!
very unique and interesting style of poetry. It sounds so fun. Congrats lots.
Wonderful work. Insightful subject. Thank you and congratulations on your well-deserved win. 🌿
So great ! Congratulations on Your winning so Happy for You ! and I adore so much both your poem and the beautifully edited image ! so Lovely and yes monkey mind they do not serve they need a change and reprogramming somehow :) ! I love the sentence I converted to monk so real on the path of it all hah ! however it feels in real. Congratulations once again! :)))
Congratulations on your win!