The Quiet Shift

“The power is with the silent ones ...”
—Swami Vivekananda

Something in me revels in silent mojos. Something in me anchors in chaos, collecting in folds like dripping wax. Something in me presents like solid linen while something drifts like silk in tousled winds. Something in me watches me from foreign dimensions. Something in me walks barefoot. Something in me thuds like tactical boots heard by neighbors down the street. And then something in me stays, inaudibly staring at no one. In every state, I hope to be understood. “Wait, what?” My needs, my errors, my missteps, my love, my extended giving nibble like besotted puppies with immature teeth. Deliberately, as it rains or snows, I let these lead me into some sort of wisdom as I rub my palms soothing the aridity of increasing wrinkles. 
Sigh, sigh, sigh again, sigh
I try, truly I do, I promise I try
I even sing me a soft lullaby
If nothing folds, it’s goodbye.

Credit

Copyright © 2026 by Anita Nahal. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on May 9, 2026, by the Academy of American Poets. 

About this Poem

“This poem reflects a soul shaped by the cultivated habit of ‘letting go’—of releasing people and circumstances that disrupt our inner peace. Over time, wisdom teaches us that while we cannot govern the expectations or actions of others, we maintain absolute sovereignty over ourselves. Therefore, we must focus on our own evolution if there is any chance of being a useful mentor to others. For me, as a single mom, this journey has been deeply enriched by my son, who has motivated me toward a higher version of myself, inspiring me to see things from varied perspectives. Life, in general, is a great teacher, encouraging us to reflect, adapt, and sometimes adopt a silence that is not a surrender. Rather, it’s a form of prudence—the realization that we are truly blessed to find the best nurturing in self-growth, self-confidence, and general peace. The essence of this shift is epitomized by Swami Vivekananda’s reminder that true power resides in the quietest spaces of the spirit.”
—Anita Nahal