When my mind wanders
down lanes devoid
of love
and rabid thoughts pounce
threatening
to devour my heart
I sing Your sweet,
nectarine Name
Hari
Your name is the
lifebuoy
we can cling
to
in
the
raging
whirlpool
downward
pull
of
samsara

Your holy
Name
dances about
red, blue, pink
swirling saris
with You
my arms are
never empty
the moon is full
of silver
and the sun
pours its gold
over us
in the jhoola of
my heart
there is a permanent place
where I swing from dawn to
radiant dusk with my
Dearest Giridhari

sit with me before the dance
in my little thatch hut
on a mat of yellow reeds
together we’ll string
garlands
marigolds, jasmine,
roses
to offer at His petite, azure feet
with glossy red kisses
we’ll serenade our Sri Krishna
weave peacock feathers through His
perfumed tresses
the Yamuna river is lit up with
lotus lanterns and
vrindavan incense
we have adorned ourselves
in the finest silk saris
and red *** *** dots
we are ready with
aching, ardent hearts to
dance with the Lord
come into our eager, hopeful arms
darling Giridhari

I  pressed the exercise ball against the
gym wall slowly pushing it upward
breathing deeply I repeated to
myself
“God is present now”
“God is present now”
I walked towards the women’s locker
room  holding onto that thought intensely
a child sitting in the softly illumined alcove
turned to look at me
brief wordless sweet communion
flashed electrically between us
an angelic expression
emanated from her ivory porcelain face
as if all the cares, joys and sorrows of the world
were bundled up inside her tiny form
…God is present now…God is present now

Beloved
i have kept a strict vigil
from my lonely citadel
my eyes have fasted solely
on your celestial form
and my lips know
only
Your hallowed name
Hari
the stars and moon
appear so distant yet
they light up even my
secluded, solitary silhouette
unfettered love
glance my way
tonight

I am not a morning person
but my hubby is...

This morning at 6 am we packed up
our blue beach chairs
and headed for the ocean
in the car we listened to a CD of
Reverend Rose's Sunday sermon
she talked about judgmental thinking
how we make up stories about
other people and situations
infusing ourselves with fear and
negative emotions
this kind of perspective prevents us
from seeing the beloved in everyone

We arrived at the shore in time
to view the sun dancing across
the pink horizon, leaving a trail of
golden footprints in the playful waves.

Setting up our beach chairs
to face the gently rolling surf
David took out his book on the "Course of Miracles"
the lesson for the day was:
"God is my strength in which I place my trust"
together David and I meditated on this truth
feeling it sink into our bones

I was reminded of a heart opening exercise:
mentally I asked God to help me experience His love
I waited in the quiet cove within
slowly I could feel the flower of love
unfolding to bright interior rays
a strong whiff of jasmine
carried by lofty sea breezes
pervaded the salty air.

After our meditation
David and I raced towards the
beckoning azure vastness, diving in
we floated buoyant, blissful
Two lotus blossoms on an endless, eternal sea

We meditated on the beach a little after sunrise
dawn poured gold over the ancient pages of the
Bhagavad Gita

As David read from that sacred text
seagulls paused mid-air and sand pipers
stood transfixed
pearls spilled from his lips the
very ocean blue lips of Lord Krishna

“Realize that which pervades the universe and
is indestructible; no power can affect this unchanging,
imperishable reality”
“The body is mortal, but He who dwells in the body
is said to be immortal and immeasurable” ~ Bhagavad Gita

I too listened enrapt, eager to learn more
the Sea rushed anxiously towards us
lapping at our feet
its pounding surf resembling the mighty five horse drawn
Chariot of Sri Vasudevaya

Just then...
Krishna Janardhana blew His conch
rays of the morning sun ignite a brilliant halo
crowning His head

“This infinite joy of union with the Lord
is easily attained by those who are free from
the burden of self-will and established
within themselves.” ~Bhagavad Gita