"Where I Am Right Now"

I am in my pajamas, worrying about deadlines and global warming.
I am in the backyard, clipping tomato vines and supervising my leashed tabby cat.
I am in my brother’s thoughts, since I sent my nephew a box full of puppets.
I am wandering alone in the unwritten encyclopedia of my consciousness, looking for the entry on the letter P.
I am sitting on a barstool, complaining about ignorant politicians and arts cuts, downing glass after glass of red wine.
I am in a car, reading Don Quixote, and laughing out loud.
I am in my safe place, planning mental picnics and spa days.
I am in my mother’s will, inheriting manic depression and a pearl necklace.
I am in a taxi, stumping all to guess my ethnic mix.
I am in the west side of town, buying light bulbs and running out of toilet paper.
I am in my lover’s bed, wishing we were just a little bit younger and less stressed out.
I am wandering alone in unspeakable memories with a baseball bat and a giant eraser, hoping for trouble.
I am in hundreds of photo albums smiling, laughing, crying and posing, all over the globe.
I am in my limited body, attempting limitless physical activity on the elliptical machine.
I am in my office, brooding over forgiveness and the fate of unreached dreams.
I am wandering alone in the extinction of thoughts, passions, and religious systems.
I am in my shadow, plotting the next dark turn.
I am turning towards you, turning on my heels, with only the illusion of a sense of direction.

-Priscila Uppal


Can our body be representative of a society or a culture? Does poetry allow for a person to be healthier or happier? Discover ‘body poetry’ with award-winning poet and novelist, and Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at York University, Priscila Uppal, on October 28th. As part of WellFest, Priscila will be visiting Havergal College to do a "body poetry" workshop with students.