Mito M. Boy

Three poems for my yoga mistresses 
upon graduation from the 40 Day Revolution

A Sonnet:  My yoga mistress said to seek my path

My yoga mistress said to seek my path.

My path to happiness: what can it be?

I can’t see my path, since the aftermath.

3 years past, happiness could have found me.

We were on our path, driving towards the sun.

“The last of life for which the first was made,”

was next for us; but the plan was undone.

Instead, a naughty trick on us was played.

And so we hung upon the precipice

until he was gone and I was alone.

The path, you see, went with his exodus.

I was stunned, without a clue, on my own.

So, before our life together, I turned.

To find my own true path, I must relearn.

* * *

Mary Iyengar

Mary Iyengar, can I go for?

Mary Iyengar, you are a star.

Good, good, good, you all are good.

Is it true I really could?

Now, straighten the back and flip the hip

Reach, reach, reach; lengthen tip to tip;

left lower rib meets right outer thigh.

And I am thinking: oh my!

Mary Iyengar, can I go for?

Mary Iyengar, you are a star.

Left hand down and right hand rise—

Breathe, breathe, breathe; I am alive.

Thank you, thank you, Mary Iyengar.

* * *

Call and response

Call and response:

we engage together:

in a partnership.

She asks, we give.

Her voice our guide

to the path within.

Surrounded by heat

attuned to the body,

we find the beat

Teacher and pupil;

back and forth;

give and take.

We breathe in and out.

Conducted, we strive--

all senses alive.

Suddenly, slowly

power surges up

from toe tip to crown.

Downward, then up--

inward, then out--

our hearts soar.

We follow her lead

as the light dims,

there is brightness within.

Our sensei calls to us

every Thursday night

and we respond in kind.