Lockdown Nights in Oxford: a poem by Rupert Spira

Like most of you, I have spent much of the last year locked down, and during these last few winter months, I have taken to going for long night-time walks in the dark and deserted streets of Oxford.

Recently my son, knowing how I love to listen to classical music and poetry, suggested I buy myself a pair of earbuds in order to listen while on these walks. I resisted for some time but eventually succumbed, and I have to confess that I am now rather attached to them!

So, every night, I set out for a walk and often listen to music, poetry or a text from one of the world’s wisdom traditions. This poem chronicles these walks, and the poets, musicians, sages and mystics who accompany me. It is a tour of some of the great minds in which I have immersed my own mind over these last few months, indeed my whole life. It’s a sort of homage and a song of gratitude to them.

Rupert has written many other poems, including Every Time I Open my Eyes , which you can read on the blog.