Romir Swar Week 4: Cold Showers
Change is to take a cold shower.
To change, one must do what they are not comfortable doing.
One must enter the door of uncertainty to exit out to a more certain one.
One must take a cold shower.
Each drop of water—sharper than the last—feels like a dagger,
But after death comes peace (I hope).
As the water barrages my skin, I feel numb, yet I feel empowered.
From the top of my scalp to the edge of my toes(which are always out), I feel frozen, but there’s a fire igniting inside.
The strength transcends to my pupils, which now see clear, like holy water (although I'm not particularly religious).
But it is not just the physical state.
Similar to vision, one is also given clarity in the mind (which is lowkey more important in today's world).
The distractions vaporize—parrallel to the unrequired hot water.
My unnecessary thoughts embody the fog of dry ice—drifting away into space.
But what remains is the truth—always put to light in times of vulnerability.
But to be comfortable while being uncomfortably vulnerable is to be brave, and to be brave is to take that first step—that first step into a cold shower.
To let mental barricades be absent, enabling yourself to be truly present.
To let not just the dirt that resides on your skin but the emotions within you that pour out, and fall through the drain.
From hot to cold,
Messy to clean,
And blurry to clarified,
there is change.
Change is to take a cold shower.
I like how you use a variety of metaphors to describe your thoughts throughout the poem! It’s a very unique way to write a poem, and the use of parenthesis to express personal thoughts throughout the poem is also a really cool detail since it makes the reading seem more personal since we get to see your own thoughts and anecdotes throughout the poem. Your discussion of how the different aspects of a cold shower all line up with how change affects people is really creative as well! I especially like the comparison of how each drop of cold water “feels like a dagger.”
ReplyDeleteRomir, I am deeply burdened by the fact that you titled your blog “Cold Showers” and did not provide a visual of a cold shower. But I’m also intrigued with this alternative image you’ve chosen to provide rather than the imagery the title may insinuate. I can see the direct symbolism you’ve portrayed with leaving a comfortable yet more restrained environment to entering a new subconscious, changed state of mind in this image that depicts two “mindsets” and a bridge between them. On top of this, though, I see a second meaning to your blog image: the precarious balance you keep between a formal style of writing—the gray head, which evokes “formal” vibes—and your casual, true-to-you interjections through your use of parentheses—the brighter, livelier head which also nicely represents your amicable self. These two contrasting writing styles found throughout your poem mirror the image you’ve chosen quite well and I think it’s a nice connection, intentional or not. I also seriously relate to the way you’ve described a cold shower, with the uncomfortableness you must bear with in order to find that the nice cool water no longer makes you shiver, but instead feels refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you continue the metaphor of a cold shower, and all the aspects of taking one, throughout your poem. It adds a really interesting level of complexity to an already complex topic of change. I also enjoyed the use of parentheses used to add some of your personal thoughts which broke up the seriousness of the topic with some humor. Your line about being comfortable while being uncomfortably vulnerable is to be brave was really impactful.
ReplyDeleteWhen I’m writing poetry, I often find myself getting into my own head about taking myself seriously--but I really love the little parenthetical notes you added in! Helped add some levity from the overall serious tone! I also love how you consistently brought it back to “change is to take a cold shower.” It reminded me of how when you take a cold shower, you can’t really get away from the tingly feeling unless you bear the water long enough to get used to it--which I imagine is the point, but the repetition was nice! And I’ll be honest, I was really hoping you would do another poem after seeing your first blog post, and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this! Great job as always!
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