The boatman pauses

                                          by the frothing river.


                                          What we can do easily

                                          we do too much.

                                          Chattering on smartphones

                                          Worrying.


                                          Too little 

                                          what brings peace


                                          Shutting off our phones

                                         Pausing the windmills 

                                         in our minds.


                                                                   Arun Maira, 7th May 2024

                        (Inspired by Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha)