Opulent plumage
Golden reflective salute
Mirroring the sun

From a simple ritual
To the practicing yogi,
The one hundred and eight beads
Constitutes a time for intentional focus.
Initiated in the 8th century BC,
These spiritual beads in Hinduism
Now are used through Islam, Christianity
Buddhism, 2/3rds of the world’s population.
Whether wood, seed or stone
They shall deliver
Properties of healing, protection
And most commonly, spiritual practice.
I gift this to you,
So you can intentionally
Breathe 108 times
With vitality, feeling vibrancy.
Speak a mantra
Drawing you inwards.
Feel the earthly element
Connecting you to Mother Earth.
Simply put, I wish you
108 blessings,
108 guardians,
108 freed moments
Each and every day.
May you hold this mala
With the clarity it was made,
With the love it is sent,
And wisdom with which you shall use.
Unequivocal beauty
Blooming grace, like a dance
Drawing riches from the terra
Your petals defy the science
Fluttering delicately
Like wings of the butterfly
Yet with the strength of an army
You win each battle for my heart
How gloriously you entrance me
Leading back to simplicity of gratitude
Smiling outside and inward
Warmth of omnipresence made tangible
All facets of life
Incapsulated in a moment,
From undoubted beauty
To looming fears.
Voluminous clouds
Mightily they float,
Threatening to spew
And drown you out!
Yet the intrigue
Of color and form,
Capture both heart and breath,
A moment now, forever lived.
Do we more often
Get lost in fear?
Of what may come?
What may happen?
Forfeiting the present
In which we can feel
Simple joys,
Gratitude and inspirations.
This grand gesture of beauty
Is bequeathed each day,
As the love from within
Will shine in our eyes.
That guiding presence
Then shapes your day
As you see the treasure
Lined up for your pleasure.
You arrive and greet
This morning of Rakshabandan.
As always, in full bloom
With unequivocal light and love.
This symbolic yellow rose
Stops me in my tracks
As you, brother, embodied
It’s rich depth and warmth.
Saving me from my sorrow
I see how love transverses all.
Physically no longer side by side
Yet our spirits still unite.
Our bond is clear
My brother dear,
As you remain with and between us,
Your loving sisters.
Today is Rakshabandan, the day of celebrating the bond between a brother and sister. The yellow rose is the symbol, my two sisters and I chose, that represents our departed beloved brother, Dipak.
From an unknowing third party, what should the universe send my way today of all days, but a yellow rose surrounded equally by three buds! What an image of our sibling unity!
For some,
I am a representation
Of their enamor with another.
Dream like, secret garden
Haven for nature’s creatures,
Resting spot for all.
Four legged beauty
Daring to claim her foliated seat,
Despite brick and mortar wedge.
Mutual presence acknowledged,
Acceptance mirrored,
Silent moments shared.
Such respect and dignity
Revered as beauty,
Treasured as gifts.
Then why so different
Within ones household,
With creatures alike, human to human!
Where goes the respect,
The dignity, the awe,
The gratitude?
Perhaps what’s needed
Is to recognize
Those very facets
First, in one’s self.
Not look to others
To give the complements,
To fill the void
Or take the blame.
So look both ways,
Inside yourself
Outside your window.
With such focus
The truest beauty
Can be found,
As you mirror
All of life’s finds.
Rendered speechless
Eyes locked to your face
Entranced by your aura
Encased in your silvery gaze
Each night you visit
Sometimes a slither more
Sometimes a slither less
But as twilight dwindles you’ll sure be there
When in full force
To the your great mercy
Some will howl
Some will swoon
Your lunar powers
Gentle and relentless
As each wave of sea
Beats to your beam
Each blossom blooms
Each offspring is born
Each harvest collected
Each winter unfolds
All that can cycle
Cycle it does
As you stay constant
And orbit all day
Companion of Earth
You have taught me my great truths
That the one by my side
From the first day through the last
Will emerge in all shapes
With powers big and small
Will shine lights so bright
No darkness can remain
Will soften the hardest
Will beckon the lover
Will reflect my imperfections
Yet regardless will remain
Always so present