ALS NaPoWriMo Day 25 Prompt: Write a poem about the oldest object you own or about an object you wish to own.

 

My today’s poem is inspired by the following words of Aristotle,

 

“To be conscious that we are perceiving or thinking is to be conscious of our own existence.”

 

Poem: The Existence of Consciousness

 

To be conscious that we are perceiving or thinking,

is to be conscious of our own existence.

 

My consciousness has been a part of my existence ever since I was born,

Yet I was never able to perceive or comprehend its existence

 

A feeble inner voice always kept nudging me, judging me, assessing me, scolding me,

But I never could understand who or what it was

 

It reminded me of my ethics, and the rules I failed to adhere,

Keeping me on my toes until I performed

 

It also cautioned me of the obstacles on the path, or the risks involved,

I always heeded its guidance, no matter what it was

 

As I grew up, physically, mentally, as well as in years,

My rendezvous with my inner voice, my consciousness, also grew up

 

It made me question my purpose of existence,

It made me aware of its own existence

 

A stillness I felt at times,

When I sat with my inner voice

 

It helped me perceive the reality I wished,

It also expanded my curiosity, my insights

 

Consciousness, I learned, was as old as the Universe,

Unbounded, eternal awareness of experience, it was

 

A deeper connect with everything, I started searching for,

What was my role in the plan of the cosmos?

 

While the presence of my consciousness, I do acknowledge,

But I’m far from experiencing a connect with my higher self

 

Like a drop in the ocean is my knowledge of the Universe,

I wish to immerse myself in the depths of the vast cosmos

 

Consciousness, inner voice, soul, awareness–

It was, it is, it will be, no matter what you call!

 

©Vandana Bhasin

25.04.2025