Warm rays of the sun
like fairy wings flicker
through tall majestic branches
I spread my rose print scarf
over a couch of
golden pine needles
and settle down  
the forest sings its
own haunting melody
undaunted by our
industrial embrace
It gives life to our limbs
our very breath
O beloved trees and
sacred wildwood
hugs and kisses
the Divine mother will
surely protect you

I belong to the woodlands
tall pine look down with
sheltering glances
their emerald crowns
caress the heavenly blue dome
Winter sun is a bright Jewel
through the branches
air is sweet and fresh
a sleepy wind blows
across my face
And if it weren't
so late in the afternoon
I just might snooze here
on a bed of pine needles
but instead I rouse myself
and sing a song of gratitude

I blew you a dandelion kiss
softly  across wisps of blue
A fragile star for you
to dream catch and
tuck between the velvet folds
of your heart

Perfect night for a star bath
i gaze into the glittering skies
The moon casts a silver spell
Luminous from head to toe
I float towards the vast beauty
unfolding white wings
shimmering shining endlessly

I am so thrilled!
David and I discovered
a big patch of woodland
a few blocks from our home
David and I held hands
as we entered the forest sanctum
crossing over a few curly
entwining vines
the forest opened up
to natural pine needle paths
spiraling through sheer enchantment
the magnificent aroma of
designer pine perfume
sweetened our every step
and the O2 was off the charts
O what a heaven sent
medicine for the spirit!
we paused amidst this splendor
to lift our hearts to the
incredible divine essence
imbuing everything chanting
with reverence and great gusto
Om Om Om

The huge inflated
Christmas teddy bear
on my neighbor's lawn
holding a red and white
candy cane
opens and closes
his vinyl arms
"Teddy I need a hug,"  I whisper
also opening my arms wide
"In fact I think the whole world does"

Remember God
My breath says
Remember God
It says again

Mother Divine
When my child suffers

How can a mother
not suffer?

O Divine Mother
am I not Your child...?
and my child...Your child..?

Mother of mothers
wrap us in the
swaddling winds
of Your Love
clasp us close to your
vast blue *****

Dry our tears
feed us Your Ananda
help us to know
that we are of the Infinite
.

I kiss the hand that heals
the illustrious hand
that creates fragrant vibhuti
fashions life, beauty,
and all that
an Abishekam of kisses
shower Golden Age Avatar
Dear Swami
may I never stop kissing
Your Lotus Feet

Take a gentle walk today
my little love
there are fall flowers
and purple clover in the fields

Feather clouds, turquoise skies
are medicine bags for the spirit

Listen to the wind chimes
little papoose
and deep breaths from the
evergreen forests

They chant His name
continuously...

Hmmmm... something's in bloom
aromatic minty scents
whiff towards me
from the open, uninhabited woodland lot
on the corner of Perry Street

An intricate twisted, matted, tanglewood
of native weeds, flowers, tall grass, pine,
cram this patch of wild terrain

No houses block the balmy view
all sorts of odors, sights and sounds
mingle naturally with shafts
of sunshine and dense shadow

These jungle havens offer shade
and refuge sorely needed in the
sizzling Florida temps and
harsh global warning

Sadly, I watch as beautiful, stately
trees and shrubbery that have thrived
for decades are hacked down,
lots cleared for
building and selling more
and more houses

Now, as I pass an unscathed
forest dwelling
my heart bolts like a giddy gazelle
romping, cavorting blissfully
through the last...lost... sacred wilderness

She plucked a white rose
from the front gardens

my gorgeous niece
sunrise of youth
glowing on her cheeks

with a bewildered look
she revealed how
pointless she felt
much of her studies
and school subjects were

I started to lecture
on the importance of school

Barely listening she let go
of her exasperation
and wandered
by the canal with
the white rose
and a soft breeze
blowing through her
freshly dyed hair

I watched her dance away
barefoot back to her room
of pointless studies
and school subjects

Bluejay gliding across my path
carries the celestial sky
in its wings

Crow raising a racket
squatting on the
telephone pole
has night shimmering
in its wings

Cat bird bursting with
nectarine melodies
carries Pakriti, Mother earth
aloft in its wings

We "Humans"
unaware of our
subtle essence
pulsing eternally
carry Divinity
and the vast cosmos
in our wings

Holy men say
we are all sparks
of the Divine
I feel that now
when I pass you
on the street
there is an
inexplicable radiance
in your eyes
and a bit of the sun
shines through
when you flash
a smile
Even before my
dark raven mind
tries to form a
story about you
I let that heavenly
light gush in
open the skylight
of my heart
where we meet
sparkling explosions
where kinship, peace
and true love
only exist

With my silky body I found You!
Starry footsteps led the way!
a thousand eons
cannot contain
this yearning
wafting towards You!
together we dance
through the halls and corridors of
Forever!

O my Lucky stars!

There is a bridge to heaven
in our garden
Quan Yin and Ganesh
guard the entrance
in my dreams I wander
across the bridge
aerial sliver of silver
floating in the moonlight

I waved at you
we both had our
umbrellas wide-open
under a fine autumn drizzle
cooling the overheated earth
I felt so blessed
when the divine bells
of our hearts
rang sweetly

You caught my hand in yours
a few stars in the sky
smiled down on us
and the misty gauzy moon
cast a veil over our heads
with a silent kiss

A flower fell from my lips
full petals like a
flying red lantern
all lit up with
golden kisses
from the sun

In quiet spaces when talk has ceased,
lips are still
and eyes are turned inward
waves crashing against the
shores of the mind
ebb
In quiet spaces the world disappears

tiny little kisses fall from heaven
I stick my arm outside
the black and pink floral umbrella
tiny little raindrop kisses
drizzle sweetly
Holding the umbrella aside
I let tiny little raindrop kisses
nuzzle my face
Love from above starts to pour
Trillions of little kisses blanket
every blade of grass,
neighborhood cars, roads,
and the rich black earth
My heart a lotus flower
sings and dances
cups running over

For at least 6 years
David and I toiled over
the illustrious, majestic
"Bird of Paradise"
Fertilizing, nurturing, nursing
yet despite all this
we only saw dark green plumes
fronds fanning out
like a proud peacock
Then early this morning
at sunrise I heard David exclaim,
"Hurry bring the camera!"
there in all its exquisite glory
its wings in full sunrise explosions
of orange gold and purple

was our own very first "Bird of Paradise"

I feel your spacious embrace
twinkling arms scoop me up
stars glow in our breath
from the deepest love
new worlds are born

The Shining path
flickers in and out
like a candle flame
when I cast my eyes on the world
there is shadow
when I cast my eyes on You
there is effulgence

A Living Shoreline!
red violet trumpet blossoms
and spiraling vines curl happily
alone the craggy, rocky banks of the Indian River
oyster reefs, black and white mangroves,
truly a wonderful coastal restoration effort
at Ernest Kouwen-Hoven Riverside Park

A little piece of paradise
with a spectacular view of Melbourne skyline
fills us with smiles, oohs and ahhs

David and I hold hands while ambling
out on the long wooden fisherman wharf
jutting out into the Indian River
A few folk at the end of the pier
dangle their baits into
indigo ribbon waves

Perfect day with a lithe breeze,
umbrella clouds, and damask silk blue heavens

A youthful couple in a green and gray hammock
sway playfully to the not too loud rap music

This gorgeous day ends too soon
we pack up our picnic baskets
saunter towards our car
two regal pelicans gracefully bid us adieu

We walk East towards the ocean
Abalone pearls spill from the heavens
Krishna's conch can be heard
welcoming the new day
Golden Lakshmi lashes flutter open
And the sky erupts into dazzling smiles

Frogs croak in concert
deep guttural base drones
punctuate the morning silence
there's no one on the street
except a lone biker
pedaling towards me
we smile exchanging
a bit of radiance

with each healing breath
I remind myself
to count my blessings

Swami holds my hand
gently reassuring me
His hair ripples in
the tropical breeze
and the hem of His
paradise orange robes
rustle softly

"Sai Ram," I whisper, "I love you."

Road to infinity
opens up before us
the sweet trill of a cat bird
garlands the eternal moment.

Sai Ram
I lean on the strength
of Your name
1000 times
a million times
Swami grant me
Your golden hued darshan

Love chirps
between the branches
mirthful sounds gurgle up
From my heart
A refreshing sublime fountain
springs from unseen depths
bathing the weary spirit
And for our little
fine feathered
cherubs
to sip from

Last night at sunset
millions of pink cherub kisses
dotted the tie-dyed skies

David and I rushed out
towards the blushing glow
And the sweetest embrace

So Vast
You are...Divine One
Yet
Inexplicably, intimately
close
Your breath
has married mine
Flash of Your
gold earrings
Chime of Your
anklebells
Divine lips as rose red as
This throbbing heart

A drop of heaven is in
the ladybug
dainty red damsel
with polka dot umbrella
and black lace fan

a drop of heaven is in
that gorgeous orange creature
fluttering past me

A drop of paradise is in blue jay
his wings the color of
the Bluebonnet sky

A drop of paradise is
in Woody woodpecker
Decked out in his red silk hat
and speckled cape
sawing away...

A drop of heaven is in everything

A spark of heaven is certainly
in you and me

Swami my head forever rests
on your lotus feet
having touched them once
my lashes and forehead
are singed with
unspeakable splendor

A candle burns brightly
on the windowsill of my mind
ever watching for
Your glorious return

David and I gave
each other bike hugs
we both are like
little kids when we cycle

Pedaling along our
newly asphalted roads
we drink in the
extraordinary
Florida sunsets
and admire the neatly
manicured front yards
of kind neighbors

Mike's tiny dog
"Lil Bit"
yelps protectively
as we rocket past his yard

a lot of folks have joined
the happy carefree world
of bicycling since the
corona crisis

I chose a tricycle
for my preferred ride
"Sai Purple Majesty"
jets down Beacon Street
Behind David's Red Cruiser

Laughing with glee
we ride off into the
glowing candy apple sunset

Red bottle brush blossoms
swirl in the steamy Florida heat
despite the sizzling temps
the ashram is always a
welcome refuge

Softly, I enter the
sacred premises
doing namaste to all
the hallowed murtis

Soon songs decorate the
tranquil atmosphere
Smiling inwardly waves of
euphoric bliss well up from
a Divine spring

The sweetness is Non-Stop
truly my heart is a honeycomb
dripping with holy Love

I break off pieces of this
nectarine prasadam
an offering for you

Sea was wild this morning
tempestuous waves
toss their sage and silver manes,
galloping in all directions
nostrils flaring seafoam
They say there's a storm
brewing in the Caribbean....

My hubsy and I mosey
along the crystal shoreline
I marvel at the many footprints,
even a few paw and bird prints
I speculate there might even
be some fossilized footprints
beneath it all.

One pointedly I search...
for the only footprints
that really matter....
Your Silver Padukas
The only footprints that
can carry me across the
ocean of change
to a higher shore

Gazing out on the tumultuous ocean
salty air chafes my lips and face
my husband beams
his radiant Buddha smile
we hold hands
chanting Ommmmmm

Wind gently whispers
Your name in my ears
I hear the soft rustle
of sanyasi robes
heady scent of sweet jasmine
...and Your.Lotus feet
enters my heart...

I love to watch egrets fly
white wings glide past me
in concert
as I pause my morning stroll
my spirit not the least bit shy
joins the beautiful congregation
soaring through the twinkling blue

www.sairapture.com/zuni-sunrise.htm

Like sleeping beauty
She slumbered
on some remote island leaf
tucked away inside my heart

Sri Saraswati Devi
strums my heartstrings
awakening the
Ecstatic Muse

Leaving the world of fog
and phantom behind
She soars close to my ears
Singing her Sunrise Love song

Veridian waves wash over me
calm, healing currents
streaming over hot
black asphalt of my mind
racing in all directions

Emerald turf, tides rise up
surging, gushing from
open, uninhabited woodland lots
and neighborhood lawns

I smile totally in awe -
the thousand shades
of medicinal green elixirs
Nature concocts for us:
soothing jade, invigorating pine,
dazzling emerald, gentle fern,
happy go lucky shamrock, pensive moss
blessed, peaceful olive branches
repair, restore, revive
our flagging spirits

O Devi we take refuge in Your
alcoves of Green Goodness
and "lie down in Green pastures"  
on your Divine lap

Oooh a bouquet for me?
Thank you....
The Earth lovingly presented
an effusion of beauty
saffron blooms garland
the path on our way to the temple

Davidji and I tiptoed into the
quiet, serene sanctuary
majestic Murtis surround us
with dazzling eyes
as we prayed and
sang fervently

From the jeweled throat
of Durga Ma
To the Blessed ******
cradling baby Jesus
the parade of Deities
charmed our minds and
lifted our spirits

O Resplendent One
I wear an endless mala
drunk on your Sweet Names
Amrit fountains
flow incessantly

I poked my head outside
the temple door
scent of fading loquat blossoms
and damp wood reminds me
of nights in the forest

Green glades of the ashram
redolent with serenity and succor
infuse peace into our spirits
during  these stressful times

My hubby David
offers fresh plucked gardenias at
the goddess' altar  

Beautiful Shakti
pearls spilling, cascading
from the royal diadem
onto Her Divine brow
eyes glowing stars
pervade the candlelit atmosphere

David and I hold hands
as we leave the sanctuary
and orbit the blessed lake
sparkling with heavenly fish
We smile at each other
happy and content on the sacred shores
of Yoga Shakti Ma

The marigold Monarch butterfly
oblivious to the moans, suffering
and pain of our worldly realm
sips nectar from divine floral cups
oozing with celestial sweetness
alights blissfully upon
the holy hand of God

What a celestial evening
The Violet flame could be seen
exalting the Western horizon
Angel anthems permeate the air
ethereal chariots stream
across apricot yellow skies


David and I ride our bikes
towards the sunset our faces
flushed a radiant purple
These are precious moments
One cannot help but sing
The sheer glory of it all!

In the wide-open frontier
That I Am
a hint of vastness
embraces me
From a balcony in the heavens
Sai Avatar surveys
His luminous creation
Winged worlds
Spiraling galaxies
Timeless superluminal
light years
orbit His celestial finger

I gaze wonderstruck......
Swami's fathomless eyes
eclipse the dark night
a thousand suns rise in
every atom of my being

And the Earth turns....
Golden


"There is no force on earth that can delay for an instant the mission for which this Avatar has come. You are all sacred souls, and you will have your parts to play in the unfolding drama of the new Golden Age, which is coming."

Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sanathana Sarathi, October 1996, back cover

There he is!
Twinkle toes
Shining in the garden
dancing over the Surinam cherries
and Starfruit,
Clipping fragrant gardenia blossoms
And voluptuous red roses

My Bright Star of David
I love you!

O Baba!
Your healing breezes
rustle through the palm fronds
In our front yard
I breathe them in
and my wings flutter
gossamer feathers
under your soft caress
a song stirs
and the sun rises
in my *****
I dance through a
field of stars
shimmering on the ground
Your name
eternally on my lips

Pink spoonbills surprise our eyes
gliding through the blue yonder
Rarely, we see them
so they are a welcome sight

Pink plumes dipped in
colors of love
With a fancy flourish
they soar
penning love letters
across the airy, alpine scrolls

Air thins
and so do I
as i wait for
His starry breath
to carry me aloft

my eyes swirling
milky way pools
have lost their boundaries
Ocean rushes
through my veins
while dolphins and sea lions
leap and laugh

Sun has left bits of
its splendor
I shoot across the
night sky in a flash

There is no you or I
either
lines blur
with soft pink hues
of the heart
and we melt into
each others arms
forever

Divine Mother Sita
spreads Her flowery blanket
for all to rest upon


Longwing zebra butterflies
golden lightning bolts
strike the eyes and senses
like Asian gongs


Neon Dragonflies mating
in the warm Florida breezes
bring a chuckle to our countenance


Heavenly garlands
fall across fertile fields
an exquisite reminder
of Spring's eternal promise


Calico clouds purr
curled up
on the Goddess's lap
as she gently strokes
and kisses our
furrowed brows

I have such a rebellious streak
it's like a wild red cayenne horse
fiery mane, flippant tail
kicking up its heels
galloping off to who knows where
red canyon dust blasting in the wind

O Blue One
rein in the senses
and the wayward mind