(Wind River Sunrise, 2015)
Swastika Girls
In the Valley of Swat
The Holy Ghosts of rishis dwell
After all this time
All these changes
Nothing can erase
The lingering scent
Of gnosis
(10/7/23)
Categories:
rishis, spiritual,
Form: Narrative
I've climbed the monkey-sided mountains
overlooking Rishikesh;
a spill of Rishis in the granite bowl below,
each with callous, with incense, with their
various beggaries...each sweet-tongued with
prasad.
I've bent to kiss a broken man;
my lips on his toes, his laugh in my ear.
Antarayaami statuary all around.
Japa mala japa mala japa mala;
Namostute.
I've tucked my frame under
a stories-filled and stories high
Hanuman; folded myself into
a Room of Song. Chalisa after
Chalisa for hundreds of years.
The pilgrims and flowers, the
ghee candles and Sri Ram Sri Ram
Jai Jai
Rams.
I've sought myself. I've sought the selfless.
I've made friends with both.
I've come home dusty only to
be Lost.
I've come home refreshed only to
be Lost.
The Names, the mantras.
The Bhajan, the Ganges.
None had Answers for me.
Each had answers for me.
None had Questions for me.
Each had nothing for me.
And so I bow.
I thank.
Each.
Every.
One.
I thank One.
Categories:
rishis, spiritual, voyage,
Form: Free verse
Villanelle: For whom does the self pay rent: body or soul
For whom does the self pay rent: body or soul
"i" say "I" and you say why not wait till "i" die
Who seeks the Landlord in the head to console
How many the bodies laid low in camisole*
Release the soul in saints and rishis gone by
For whom does the self pay rent: body or soul
Which self thinks first in the heart and for what goal
Who best opens an account where the heart must lie
Who seeks the Landlord in the head to console
Who owns the name of the self when things go foul
Must the heart stop to make the head go stark dry
For whom does the self pay rent: body or soul
Solder the broken body Mend the ripped soul
Must the self take the blame for hazard or lie
Who seeks the Landlord in the head to console
The body is not your own to house the soul
The rent the Landlord charges is far too high
For whom does the self pay rent: body or soul
Who seeks the Landlord in the head to console
*camisole: French for strait jacket
© T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017
Categories:
rishis, body, fate, identity, psychological,
Form: Villanelle
Ashoka Chakra is on the flag of our nation.
It symbolizes movement since there is death with stagnation.
Twenty-four spokes comprise the mighty wheel.
They represent the rishis whose knowledge and power were real.
The spokes signify love, courage, patience, and peacefulness.
There is also magnanimity, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness;
along with selflessness, self-control, self sacrifice, and truthfulness.
Don’t forget righteousness, justice, mercy, and gracefulness;
as well as humility, spiritual knowledge, the fear of God, and empathy.
Finally, there are moral values, spiritual wisdom, the faith or trust, and sympathy.
They are all the virtuous qualities of dharma.
Forever may the flag fly over India.
I thank wikipedia.org for information I obtained to write this poem.
Categories:
rishis, people, political,
Form: Rhyme
1.Giving to needy, alms
rest all loan.
2.Though beneficial receiving ill
giving alms virtuous.
3.Upper ever give alms
before uttering poor.
4.Giver is unhappy until
needful receiver smiles.
5.Curing hunger by food
betters Rishis’ control.
6.Curing hungry is treasure
preserving future food.
7.Sharing food with others
never suffer hungry.
8.Are unworthy unaware giving
others, useless hoardings?
9.Not-giving, consuming hoardings alone
greater than begging.
10Possessing nothing to give
worse than death.
…………………………………
Dedicated to Thiruvalluvar(31B.C), the author in Tamil
Translated by S.Kandasamy, MUSIRI, TAMILNADU, INDIA
Published in poetry.com on 13-12-13
Categories:
rishis, sympathy,
Form: Couplet