How wonderful is the sandalwood
that even when it succumbs
perfumes the axe that cuts it down!
Fragrance of sandalwood
Fragrance of sandalwood,
arises from within,
as a bliss pheromone,
suffusing soul’s stillness,
with peace we alone own.
Fragrance of sandalwood,
as an effervescence,
so sublime, we dissolve
in bliss currents divine,
beholding soul evolve.
Fragrance of sandalwood,
ignites the vibrant void;
flame without residue,
a benign bliss burn whose
beauteous hues renew.
Fragrance of sandalwood,
is dispersed as a mist;
an effulgence of soul,
outpouring love’s essence,
fulfilling earth life role.
28-May-2022
Turned and tossed like toys
Riding the mighty waves
Their master does what he wilt
To them his humble slaves
Rudely he flings their boats asunder
But calm can be his days
He is his own Master Wild
Unrepentant in his ways
His moods can change quite quickly
From sparkling blues to greys
From lapping shores so softly
To howling roaring waves
Dark skinned men with coal black eyes
Bear their humble offering
To their Mighty God of the Sea
Lowly fishing boats they bring
There are some days when kind he is
They leave with catch intact
But there are others when he demands
The rights to his contract
Their women sit on the shores
Their eyes in trance like state
They pray the Mighty Sea God
Who decides their husband’s fate
Will he be of better mood today
With offerings that they’ve sought
Garlands of scented sandal wood
From the wild woods they have brought
Dark skinned men return with catch
Bursting through the seams
With laughter ringing out they’ve come back home
In scented sandalwood dreams
Remember me
When sandalwood scents sail on sea breezes
My soul is the sea
Shells and driftwood are strewn on my heart
Engulfed I’ll be
When waves reclaim my footprints
Count on me
To awaken memories through sandalwood
My soul remains free
Even if my ashes are cast into the Atlantic
With you I’ll be
Each time sandalwood wafts my way
Inhale me
And my soul will be in you eternally
Incense mists rise from
the beautifully decorated altar
bowls of prasadam
bananas, apples, bright oranges
offered at Your Lotus Feet
Vedic hymns
hypnotic, chants flood
the prayer room
I gaze through the smoke and fog
my eyes tightly shut
sound asleep
feels like aeons
how I pray to awaken
at long last
Sandalwood Fan
On the verandah of the Moana Hotel
Not too many years ago
Under the great banyan beside the
beach at Waikiki
They would bring a fragrant sandalwood fan
to all the guests that ordered tea.
They set it before you in its own fancy stand
the most alluring fragrance wafted on demand,
when you opened it’s carved blades
and gently fanned.
Given to holders on an honor system
Understood to return on leaving…
Sadly, too many proved untrustworthy.
after a time- these fans became un-available
A friend who had shared many tea- times there, with me
one day -sent me a small gift from China
A slim package which when opened re-kindled memory
A glass topped case holding a sandalwood fan
just for me
Suzanne Delaney
~ Sandalwood ~
Fall days leaves of gold orange and grey
this scent fills my room with passion my mind with clarity
The senses are calmed and my inner soul strengthens
As if I can visualize inner peace
watching the many trees fall
The scent of Sandalwood reminds
~ of what once stood ~
allowing me to accept all
bringing solace to my soul
filling the air of past and present
one of natures gifts holds a musky oil passionate
enlightens all senses reminding me
of Native American ways fires blazing
children dance and listen to old ways
Thunder and rain in the misty Canyons
dessert Sage and Sandalwood
close my eyes yet seeing the truth
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