26
Aug

“Kindness” by Ananya S. Guha

   Posted by: admin   in Poetry

It is a song
it has composure,
not in disarray
it is a wonder
in harmony, with
the old, infirm, poor
see kindness there
the gods reside there
 
Once as a child
an old man with
wrinkled creases, bereft
of soul walked up
to me,
He said:” Love is ancient
what is fame?”
 
Kindness, god-gifted song
you are an ancient
racking pain.
 

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20
Aug

“Pearls for Journey” by Vinay K M

   Posted by: admin   in Poetry

Bodhisatta: This world’s a muddle of water air earth fire rain embracing friend mixing pure impure pure alike, lanes ravine tanning every drop clean unclean yet invincible….

Tathagatta: So many pebbles on my way have I overcame trodden ways hard, my feet of pain leathered bordering I went uncapped walking across without hope into hopelessness

Bodhisatta: Ways bind for seeker’s of truth walking ceaselessly in scorching heat
Whirling loom of lustrous desire Sanghan, Sharanam, Gacchami, breaking desires of life release fruits of Dhamma Sangha

Tathagatha: Fellow seeks sink not into the well of time none has dared so rip strings consciousness waken seven lamps of comprehension to unravel mysteries into dusty beads of mysteries.

Bodhisatta:  My tripod frame has little of strength to endure cracks of time prick, dismal signposts wayfarers robes wrapped dusty enameled designs of feet my only query your wise advise.

Tathagatha: Colors this nestling changing prismatic fume world trap seeker
True wealth lies intoned at flavored place blindly we follow greener pastures
Of fleshy lands creeping withal masquerading seekers multitude within the
Protective bands festers your minds the oozing bloody drips drumming years prattle rims of whispering noises your minds demand change great renewal. Life substance.

Bodhisatta : True your worship we missed truth with minds fickle and sense unstrung why could my rimy threads miss your gospels divine well said my lord the choice you knew better but I missed but you taught art of knowing things deeply coarsely and carefully browsed logic of truth we forget

Tathagatta: I speak you know things I never taught my boats steers across lanes crocked how long shall I teach and you listen, my way is sought I shall leave my way like a crocked river returning towards oceans vast abyss of timelessness, golden lamps seven tinkling low look for those bells waving notes for wise and shuffling atop the hilly Sumera.

I have sought.  Seek your release yourself.

Vinay K M
Lecturer
Department of English
Kuvempu University
Shankaraghatta 577451
Shimoga Dist
Karnataka State
India

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Yesterday I was really struggling with my spirituality and was getting more depressed as I talked it over with my husband.  He just didn’t seem to understand my frustration at being stuck in a church that I don’t really believe in.  I would like to change denominations, because theologically I am night and day compared to the others in our church.  I don’t believe in an eternal Hell, they do.  I don’t believe that Christians are the only ones who are truly spiritual and in communion with God, they do believe that and constantly try and pound it in your head.  But right now it’s just not possible for us to leave this church due to certain circumstances that I won’t go into right now.  Let’s just say that we are stuck there for the moment.  So to cheer myself up, and keep from fighting with my husband over the issue, I decided to just go out driving.
I ended up in the parking lot of a Unity church(one of the denominations I would consider switching to).  I noticed they had a labyrinth in their back yard that was there for anyone to use.  I started walking the labyrinth and as I walked it I started to feel more peaceful.  There is something about walking a pattern that is so calming.  After walking in circles for awhile, I finally reached the center.  There in the center was a garden stone that said “All that matters is love”.  I stood there staring at the rock, reading it over and over.  How true a sentiment.  Sometimes I get so caught up in the theological differences I have with those around me that I forget what is really important.
After walking the labyrinth I went and sat in the church’s prayer garden.  They had several garden stones there that said things like “peace”, “love”, etc.  And then I saw a stone that said “Om”.  This made me laugh.  I have been a practitioner of Buddhist Meditation off and on and have sat and chanted this mantra.  It’s not something you expect to see in a Christian church, but it made me so happy to see a symbol of one faith I love, Buddhism, so close to another symbol I love, the cross.  It made me feel so much better to know that somewhere they aren’t as prejudice and exclusive as what I am used to.  It would be wonderful to go to a place so open to other beliefs & cultures.  I just pray that someday I will get to go to a place that I really believe in.  A place that can see beyond color, religion and other stupid little dividers.

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13
Aug

“Dying To Go Home” by Maranda Russell

   Posted by: admin   in Poetry

Dirty floors I walk upon carefully
trying to sidestep the mysterious
stains and sticky patches.
Well water that stains every cup,
makes the bath tub gritty,
makes everything washed smell funny,
and leaves the taste of dirt in your mouth.
Cheap cereal from Aldi’s
that tastes like sugar coated styrofoam.
Half finished paint jobs,
bare insulation covers the ceiling,
dirt so thick you can draw in it.
Dead sparrows in the yard
shot by the homeowner
for simply being too plentiful.
Is it any wonder
I hated it there?
Is it any wonder
I couldn’t wait to get home?

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