Yogis looking for poetry often turn to Mary Oliver, Rumi, Hafiz and the transcendental poets, who are ALL wonderful. I bring a strong existential streak to my yoga as well. We can’t only discuss “light and love.” We MUST also explore the shadow. You can’t JUST have Luke Skywalker and Rey; you must also have Darth Vader and Kylo Ren. Here’s a poem/song by one of my favorite downers, Leonard Cohen. So dark, so real.
The Way Back
by Leonard Cohen
But I am not lost
any more than leaves are lost
or buried vases
This is not my time
I would only give you second thoughts
I know you must call me a traitor
because I have wasted my blood
in aimless love
and you are right
Blood like that
never won an inch of star
You know how to call me
although such noise now
would only confuse the air
Neither of us can forget
the steps we danced
the words you stretched
to call me out of dust
Yes I long for you
not just as a leaf for weather
or vase for hands
but with a narrow human longing
that makes a man refuse
any fields but his own
I wait for you at an
unexpected place in your journey
like a rusted key
or the feather you do not pick up
until the way back
after it is clear
the remote and painful destination
changed nothing in your life
Yoga with Lesley 