I went for an adventurous walk through a wooded lot next to our house this afternoon.

It's Spring break and the neighborhood kids bursting with jubilant energy, boisterous laughter and inate curiosity showed me a path through the densely knitted patch of forest. Their bright little elfin faces, venturesome spirits made me feel like a child again, only taller, lol.

They wanted show me the fort they had built further into the thicket, but good sense reigned when I observed the thorny winding branches, briar and looping vines,
I graciously declined.

I thought to myself, "Oh what a wonderful spot to sit and write poetry... and meditate...
when the kids were back in school, lol.

Swami
Will you come tonight?
the gold moon hangs
full and low
a lantern beaming between
dark pine branches

I wait with a gardenia blossom
in my hand and the fragrance
of night blooming jasmine
in my hair

O Lotus eyed Lord
bhajans fall like petals
from my lips
Console us with the
sound of Your dancing ankle bells

Frogs are croaking in the garden
fairy solar lamps light a fragrant path
for you to walk upon

Frightful sounds of the world fade
away with holy hymns as the
mist sweetly parts

I wait like Radha waited for her
Krishna and Mira Bai too
only the blush of Your Love
sustains us

Perfume the world with your
Sacred Presence
Sai Krishna

I sipped from
Your cup Swami
like a hummingbird
perched precariously
on the edge of the universe
and fell head over giddy heels
into whirling starry bliss of that nectar


...***...
I have never been the same
the world calls me a fanatic
and You a figment of my imagination
But I don't care!


I'm Batty for Baba
Gaga for God
Jumping with Joy for Jah!

I bow to Life

I prostrate full body at the sacred feet of Nature

Willowy branches of trees swaying, bending
in the spring breeze
their hearts overflowing with sweet sap
I am so grateful
You gladly share the boughs of fruit
abounding on my oak wood kitchen table

Wild forest daisies don their
vivacious, yellow Easter bonnets
dancing with rays of sunlight
nod Namaste
Salaam, Salaam, Salaam

I bow to my furry friend Rama,
to the red and black poka dot lady bug
seated by happenchance
on my folded palms

I bow to you dear reader and lover of poetry

I bow to the Light within You

Winter sun
hides warmth
of Spring in
His frozen white breast
Earth cold and naked
numbs the senses
shivers in remote, obscure
caverns,
ascetic caves of penance, tapas and contemplation
where are Her emerald robes
adorning the hills, glens and woodlands
alluring fragrance of Her
rose scented skin is absent and
Her dewy jeweled eyes sorely missed
breathe deeply, empty your mind
I can hear Her soft lotus feet
dancing closer……..

Our dear, beloved Ravi returned home to his precious parents and
India. Jai Ma! Jai Ma! Jai Ma! It certainly was a victorious homecoming.

The festive faces of his parents lit up as they beheld the celestial vision of their only son alighting from the aircraft in Bengalaru, India.

For six months Ravi's Mom coddled, cherished and doted on her only son, taking him to temples and making rounds to relatives who hadn't heard from him since he disappeared without a trace over three years ago.

After his joyous reunion with family, Ravi returned to the states. We welcomed him into our home for one month, after which he had the option of seeking refuge in the comforting arms of the Buddha
with a room reserved for him at the temple.

However, the warmth and coziness of family, friends and a loving home, stirred a longing in him for normalcy, progress and hope for a brighter future.

Ravi knew well the horrible pangs of being homeless. For five months he endured the terrifying experience of living out on the streets. The halfway houses in this area were full to capacity, so, he slept across from a hotel, where a kind manager offered him breakfast every morning. He was alone, vulnerable and frightened,
meanwhile in India, his parents lit candles and prayed for his safe return.

I thought about all the homeless people living in tent cities throughout USA, one of the most wealthiest countries in the world,
their plight and suffering certainly a humanitarian crisis. Over 500,000 people currently homeless.
Home Sweet Home my heart breaks for them.

Ravi, myself and David sat for prayer early Monday morning. The quiet, suppressed euphoria of a new beginning, streaked intermittent blue lightning through the atmosphere.

Ravi's beautiful prayer rang out like cathedral bells as we gazed at the shimmering brass idol of Lord Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles:

"O Lord
Please resurrect me
Make me whole
so that I can serve You
and others"

Ohhhh I can smell
Spring!

Hints of mint, rose and
verdant notes

Little birds and buds
beginning to open
their petals, unfold
their newborn wings

Sky, blue skinned
celestial Goddess
dances
wrapped in whirling
gossamer gowns

On the barren tree
of my heart
flowers are blossoming

Here is one
especially for You!

Hari
The Book of Life
gilded leaves flutter
purple hooded Magi winds
sweep across time
I see my name written
and his too
surely
You have bookmarked
this moment
lessons on love
giving one's heart
completely to another
egos slain
and
sacrificed for the
greater We
this is the real
gnosis
sacred sacrament

How can I ever forget Your
starry embrace
beloved
wherever I turn
You are present
You eclipse my darkness
like a golden shadow and
Illumine me with unimaginable love

We are luminous beings
splendor to the brim
spills over from your eyes
my sister
my brother
there is brightness in your footsteps
This light that we all share is eternal

I want to remember You
On my bed of stars
final kiss goodbye
to pink peach sunrises
purple peacock sunsets

I want to remember You
Beloved Sai
Wind blown hair on
luminous banks
of the Chitravati
Marvelous miracles
that only God could create

I want to remember
Your glorious eyes
embracing mine
and the healing touch
of Your holy hand

I want to remember You... Sai

I want to remember You... Sai

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

The countless times
I've left you for this
fleeting world

Ancient Love

It's a sin you even
take me back
always with the same
tender gaze
warm inviting kiss
ardent ambrosial embrace

Standing on the shoreline of my Soul
Mighty Breakers rushing toward us

Take me now
Ancient Love

Sea petals and a thousand promises
scattered across the empty beach

when i pass away
and my earth body explodes
beneath me
like a supernova
and with it all my penchants
obsessions, desires and experiences
only one question, one truth
remains nailed to the crucible

“Have you learned to Love?”

“Have you learned to serve without
expecting anything in return?”

at the center of that heavy cross
we carry through many life times

“has the rose of pure love and oneness
blossomed?”

We sat on hilly banks of the river
The sun nestled behind
a flowery spray of clouds
like baby's breath

Your enchanting smile
is contagious
all my worries vanish into
the splendor of that smile

Catching hold of my heart
we sway in utter adoration
far into the sky
stars and milky ways
swirl past us
there is never a time
you or I ever ceased to exist

We have struggled through
mud, slime, feast and famine
to gain this human form

The animals swimming, crawling
hopping, pouncing, flying, galloping
inside of us

Vestiges of the past that try to
claw and growl their way toward
the surface of our consciousness
like ***** in a barrel
pulling us backwards
into a vortex of anger, hatred
territorial jealousy and vicious
emotions

This life is too precious to
waste
our angel wings ache
to soar
beyond the temporal
and petty
to heights Divine
Immortal, Deathless
and Free

I'm constantly checking myself
out lately
I have to put my self through
a security X-ray check
before I act or speak
what are my real intentions, true motives
and hidden agendas
sometimes a secondary screening
and full pat down is required
suspicious thoughts and
harmful desires
disarmed and replaced
with harmonious, sathwic
virtuous destination

You shower me
dripping, drenched in
dewy jewels
of Your heart

My Ruby Love
with sapphire complexion

The embossed gold hem
of my sari swirls
ecstatic feet dance
zoetic
voluminous sufi circles
around the
greatest treasure
we can ever imagine

Near the lake of my
rippling, silver tongued mind
You play Your enchanting flute

So that all I see is
Your alluring Eternal Reflection
throbbing
in crystal clear depths
of Self

Birds make a joyful noise
Every day their cheerful chirp
Serenades the slumbering world
This morning I joined my brother bluebird
and sister cardinal in joyful carol
What a sweet racket we made
I think we woke up the Divine Mother
Her surreal blue eyes fluttered open
Smiling buoyantly
She blew us a golden kiss

That One magnificence that

sings and blows His flute

amongst us

with shooting stars in His hair

and golden eyes like suns

His breath flows through

green reeds on the river banks

and baby birds chirping exuberantly

in their thatched nests

it fills our lungs with song

and impregnates our hearts

with love indistinguishable

when we kiss His shimmering feet

We caress the starry lips of the Universe

Heart shaped Kisses rise from my lips
like a thousand butterflies
twinkling across the baby blue skies

I love You Divine Mother and Father
Thank you for this sacred day

I kiss the gawky trees
zip-lining down the streets
and avenues

I kiss the young birds
squawking intermittent rounds
from their nests

I kiss the ginger brown
good luck rabbit
nibbling palm nuts on
our front lawn

I kiss the teens
their heads bent adoringly
over their phones
bungling reluctantly onto
the yellow school bus

I kiss my darling hubby
strolling with me
down Perry Street
taking in the beauty
of this sacred day

I kiss Lord Surya peeking
from behind gray rain clouds
His hand raised in blessing

I kiss you reading this poem,
my dear Brothers and Sisters
Peace Be With You Always

I would like to share a very beautiful experience that happened recently.
Yesterday, I went food shopping, as I left the supermarket, a strong wind washed over me like the sweet breath of God. It felt refreshing and rejuvenating after the frantic energy of the supermarket.

Then, quite distinctly on the soft wings of the wind I heard my name whispered "Sonya". I looked up at the pearlescent, grayish blue skies, wondering who was calling me so mysteriously.

I didn't think anything more about this, later asking my hubby if he was thinking of me around 5pm. He said he was thinking of calling me, so I thought maybe I picked up on his thoughts.

Last night, after anointing myself with essential oil camphor, I fell asleep chanting the Swapneshwari mantra. Around dawn I had the following mystical dream:

Please visit Sai Rapture if would like to know more

http://www.sairapture.com/talking-wind-dream.html

We walk towards light
of the Winter sun
blades of grass shiver
in their green skins
Pine laughs and shakes
his bristol whiskers
dapper red cardinals
chortle "cheer, cheer, cheer,
pretty, pretty, pretty"

Our hearts begin to warm

We infinitely adore our darling
flame point feline, Rama
He blends so perfectly, peacefully
with furry early morning shadows
and prayerful dawn solitude

He's a Spirit Animal
luminous lanterns of his orbs
tiger eye portals to panoramas
that transcend space and time

Ramaji our baby sphinx
meditates with us in the opaque stillness
as Mother Goddess Bastet
rises just east of our little
garden in Palm Bay

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

Lifting the full moon sails
blowing across the
skeins of eternity
our hair tossed
with the fragrance of love
our eyes lit by a strange light
You hold me in Your
surreal embrace......

never let me go

I smiled in The Woodlands
fresh, sweet as the
scent of pine wafting
through forest boughs

A sense of rejuvenation
and yes! jubilation!
danced with the amber shadows
verdant panorama

Gratefully, I rested my head
against a soothing tree trunk and...
listened to its heartbeat

In the midst of a dream
as I lay ensconced in
cloistered, quiet log cabin shadows
raindrops one by one pelting
the wooden roof
and musky wet earth

Hardness of my army cot
only increased the deep sense
of loneliness and seclusion
pervading my soul

I thought of beloved Sathya Sai
and grasped onto scraps of bliss
falling into the pool of consciousness

From depths of my anguished being
I whispered, "I Love You"

And! like an echo seeking its one true Love
I heard the voice of precious Baba respond
across electric ethers and swampy
forest dreamlands:

"I LOVE YOU!"

Swami Krishna's eyes flashed
lightning bolts illumining his round, brahmin
raincloud colored face.

Igniting logs in the huge fire pit
for our ancestral puja
he chanted ancient vedic hymns,
it was a beautiful offering on
this venerable Sunday morning.

Rites for remembering ancestors
is a tradition in many cultures,
not so much in the west.

Swami Krishna elaborated on its
importance:
We thank them for the good,
for laying the groundwork and support of
our lineage.

We remember them with
love and gratitude,
he stated, wrapping the yellow and red
priestly shawl closer to his body.

Strong, musky, acrid, odor of wood burning
stung our nostrils
one by one, ritualistically we added
ghee, incense sticks, flowers, herbs
and rice to the auspicious serpentine
flames

I could sense my mother near
spicy whiff of curry and channel no. 5
mixing with clouds of smoke

A secret door slowly opened in the heavens
as a procession of ghostly relatives
took their place around the blazing havan

It was almost high noon
and Surya, the Sun God
halted His brilliant chariot
driven by 7 rainbow hued horses

Hovering mid-air over our holy gathering
He raised His Golden Hands in Blessing

Rama's golden arrow
scorches the skies golden
and a song finds its way to
my heart
Krishna's azure blue lips caress
the celestial conch
and a kiss finds its way
to my heart
somewhere over the
doomed horizon
Eternal Life pierces
the terminal darkness
and Bliss finds its way
to my heart.......

My beloved body
How many hours have I toiled over you

Washing, scrubbing, ironing out the wrinkles
so inevitable

Straightening, dyeing, styling crown & glory
destined to burn like logs on a funeral pyre

Every ache, every pain, every bump on the road
attended to with meticulous obsession

Pumping in vitamins, all 18 caps,
hoping to live forever
and lets not forget the apparel runway
my walk-in closet a testament to that

Sunlight falls across the altar
a small star illumining dark corner
of my room
my Soul calls softly

Suddenly I remember
Who I Am

Beloved
Cup your azure hands
blow the little spark
embers of You
into full Awareness

Radiant Self
illumine the
very tears, kisses, smiles
that drop like suns
from my eyes

kneeling at the altar of my
heart You have lit
an eternal flame that cannot be
extinguished

save me blessed One from
the cold black ashes
dungeon darkness
of another life
another womb
I pray…..

We watch the blossoms
cascade over a high cliff
like sweet snowfall
a whirlwind of
cherry pink kisses
enamors crystal blue
atmosphere
A lover in the sanguine mist
offers his heart
without hesitation
together we cross the
Red bridge to Heaven

Your golden sillhouette
dances towards me
illuminating
the window sill with
brilliant footsteps
...One Golden Kiss...
Dispels
the shadows and cobwebs
gathering in the corners
of my mind...

Sunrise cherry blossom petals
swirl and dance at the compassionate,
adorable feet of the Goddess Kuan Yin

Smiling temples hang like lanterns
from dragon faced cliffs
drifting gently through
pastel terraced clouds

"Merciful Mother
how do we dare to
measure the immeasurable
or calibrate the infinite?
Mortal minds cannot
calculate what is
divinely incomprehensible."

Emerald eyes flash in the
mesmerizing, stormy mist
of Maya

Quan Yin's snow lily hands
wipe away our suffering
soothe our furrowed, fevered brows
Her words fall into pining hearts:

"The body is a temple
you are a projection of love.

Love the Earth, love the air
love the water, love the fire.

Love the part of self that is of the ethers."

Kindness is natural to
our nature, in fact it's a
Natural Law

The Dalai Lama says:
"Kindness is my religion"

We are not so gruff and tuff
as we think and act

Our heart melts into itself
with every random act of Kindness
every warmly kindled smile

We feel an instinctive, innate kinship
akin to kindness
because we sense that
kindness begets kindness

Sunrise bathes me with His gold
my complexion has turned a golden hue
my hairs are rays of light now
and lips amber gems
gaze into my eyes beloved
pools of sweet honey swirl
come sit by this blushing lotus pond
and we will sing luminous songs of the Sun

A constellation of orchid blooms
with violet flame wings
and star white hearts
descended on my
bedroom altar this evening

This was part of a birthday gift
from my beloved hubby
the orchid is a symbol of perfection,
natural elegance, love and luck

Every time I gazed at the
auspicious, stunning flower
I lit up with smiles
it was so beautiful
and Swami's portrait
at the center of my sanctum,
indeed at the center of the universe,
also flashed a dazzling smile

What shall we call this beauty Swami?
Sitara....
Sitara you are so fortunate to have
the Darshan of
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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

Beloved
How can I enchant You
not by fancy hairdos,
red lipstick and kohl lined eyes

Only by a heart perfumed
with love, service and devotion

Only by soft, sweet words and songs
falling like white roses at Your feet

Only by thoughts illumined
and sanctified with
Your constant presence

O Glorious Love
the temple door is decorated
with mango leaves
and marigold blossoms

Inside your bride waits for You

I blew a kiss this morning
I blew a kiss to the
sun drenched lawn
smiling cobalt skies
tall, dark and handsome pine

Fluffy cotton candy kisses
swirling, sufi dandelion wishes
scattered to the four winds
across the face of sadness and joy

I blew a kiss to you

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

Universes, galaxies, stars, oceans, dust, beings
pulsating inside of us

We are tiny replicas of the
immensity swirling around
above and below

Beloved
Your eyes house the
heavens and the starry
footprints of God lead to
your door

Lay your ear upon my chest
and listen to the sound of a
thousand hearts
laughing, crying, dying, singing
Infinitely
Evolving

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 breathe in
azure air, silk clouds,
ponderous pin oak
tipping his hat of branches
on our morning walk

I breathe in
sudden sound of
dogs barking,
funky sandals, and
sweet kiss of my hubby

I breathe in Love

I breathe in.... God

Jai!
Winter weary crinkled leaves
dance on the windswept streets

Jai!
Robins have returned
their shimmering red *******
bursting with song

Jai!
Sun's long flaxen arms
gathers roses, lilies and gardenias
from our fragrant garden

I'm really trying
to grow old gracefully
People say things to me like,
"Getting old *****"
and
"Growing old ain't for sissies"

I look at the stately, elderly pin oak
in my backyard
strong, stout, knotty brown trunk
weathering Florida hurricanes
and lightning zaps
willowy, winding branches,
leafy emerald arms ever embracing us with
the O2 kisses we need to survive

Dashing Sir Oak tree
Playful, Surfer Palm
Lovely Magnolia
I'll grow old with you...

Gracefully

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

The crystal ball is clouded in misty veils
but sometimes a soft wind
rattles, blowing the beaded curtains aside
and we glimpse the enigmatic, the mysterious

In one such revelatory dream:
I was dressed in a black crepe abhaya with
gold Kashmiri trim

My face shrouded in skeins of muslin cloth
there was a knock on the door,
shyly I peeked from behind my niqab

A group of friends gathered outside
encouraging me to go
out with them
Refusing, politely, I explained that I was
fasting for Ramadan.

As the dream faded, I later mentioned it
to a Muslim saleswoman whom we purchased
incense from.

Her eyes grew big as the crescent moon and star
Surprised and startled, excitely she revealed:

"We are celebrating Ramadan right now!"

There is snow all around us
and mountain peaks
stare with glassy glacial
silence
inside the red cavern of Your heart
I find solace and warmth
a fire that won't go out