Fighting sleep...
Night's velvet hand caresses
my face

Crescent moonlight illumines
my copper skin
lily

Day once so robust, solid
and real

lies still, cold and silent
on the bed next to me

All the schemes, dreams and wishes
cremated in the dying red bonfire
of the setting sun

a starry void descends
overtakes me
and
I
disappear
for
now

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...

David peered out the glass
patio door commenting on how
straight and tall the Florida pine tree
bordering our property was
except for the numerous pine needles
and cones burgeoning forth from its branches
it was truly a straight and narrow trunk

Well, I responded, pine represents purity
and immaculacy
I remember my Mom scrubbing
our house with pine-sol
schools and buildings
were also steeped in the
overwhelming scent of
pine

Native Americans believed
allowing pine needles to
brush the crown of the head
cleansed the aura of all negativity

In fact the pineal gland or third eye
of Lord Shiva
is shaped like a tiny pine cone
and harbors the ability to know
the past, present and future

Pine trees are emerald guardians
of the forest
virtuous, protective, refreshing and invigorating
rising in solitary splendor
its lofty height allows a broader view
and larger perspective of things

David and I leaned back on our sofa
the balmy wind
whistling clean and sweet through
the benevolent branches of the
noble pine

Gopi Eyes
Tears cling like dew
long Kohl black milkmaid lashes
Sweep hills, dales, softly tapered pastel slopes of Whitefield
Searching for a long-stemmed glimpse

Orange rose of Brindavin
When will you appear again...
Sai Krishna?

We scan the amber heavens
Each golden cloud holds the promise
Of a new era and the sweetness of peace in its womb

O treasure of the Gopis
brilliant sun petals
are strewn across
roads and highways
candles float upon rivers and lakes
even the Sea keeps a shimmering vigil

For that hour, for that moment
When earth and sky melt away
And Gopi eyes awaken
Forever

I was born in the eye of a blizzard
snow storms from Kailasa
covered me in an arctic blanket

As my eyes opened like a wee bird
to the blinding light
with each breath
Om echoed through
my tiny, trembling body

With each heartbeat
I still wondered...

"Who am I?"

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

Please enjoy a new poetry recording:
(sorry you have to type the address in manually)
http://www.sairapture.com/lotus-nectar--audiovisual-poetry-recording.html

Beloved
I yearn night and day
each blood tinged second
for the intravenous
of Your intoxicating Presence

like ripe, ruby grapes crave
to be tread and pressed into
the drunken bliss
of holy wine

Like the cow maiden Radha
and Princess Mirabai
pine for their peacock plumed
Blue Lord’s
rapturous darshan

Like Magdalene’s tears rolling
down her love soaked cheeks
seek only to wash and kiss
gentle Jesus’ celestial
Lotus feet

Like the great scholar Rumi
scouring the desolate streets
of Damascus
searches for even the
faintest echo
ghostly glimpse
of his beloved
God mad vagabond
Shams of Tabriz

Like my breath liberated from this
time bound, earthly form
soars free, unfettered
a shooting star
exploding into the
chaotic brilliance
of Your perfect Love
Your incomprehensible, pristine,
pure, primordial Peace

stars crinkle under our feet
bouncing off the blades of moonlit grass
carried downstream in the canal behind
my house
I walk down memory lane with my brother Lou
Lou lost it in his teens diagnosed schizoid
but able to function under guidance and meds
together we lug a cumbersome old wooden box
to the trash
gently I quizzed him
“do you remember us when we were little
on our sled all the snow and fun we had?”
Lou stares blankly into the night,
“I was never small, I was made 6 ft. 3 in.”
“but I have a photo of us”
again Lou denies that such a time ever existed,
insisting that he sprang full-grown
from the mind of some unknown madness
Christmas lights blink coloring his face
red then green
“That's alright Lou, I remember....”
whispering goodnight
I tuck Lou under the blankets
of my heart
and watch him trudge away
a small boy in a gray snowsuit


“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you”

(Simon & Garfunkle, 1968)

God is Love? My hazel eyed
grandson, Sean Sai looked at me querulously
the Beatles song “All you need is Love”
was playing in the background
We were at the annual school program
and it ended with this provocative song
Sean Sai had proceeded to name
a string of things that we needed besides
love........
I hugged the little lad and explained
that Love gives us everything because
God is Love, pure unconditional Love
Oh? he responded, I watched as that
tiny vital seed of awareness
planted itself deep into his consciousness
in time I knew it would grow into a
vast tree of supernal, resplendent wisdom

Love bugs crazy in love
are everywhere
dozens of tiny ebony stars
cover the nebula white rose bush
glowing at the corner of our house

Millions of miniature helicopters, blimps
polka dot the heavens
hanging out on street corners, in yards, lawn chairs
honeymooning on warm, fragrant vernal breezes

One woman in Walmart parking lot
squealed, exasperated,
"Oh no! they are in my hair and car!"
vigorously fanning them away with
her Zanzibar scarf

Love bugs literally living, loving, dying
in their mad, mating frenzy
dance obliviously around
Spring's merry maypole

Love bugs drift past
David and I standing in the doorway
two lil' love bugs
kissing
"nose to nose
toes to toes"
as only true
Love Bugs do

A kind smile planted
in weathered furrows
of your heart

coax a bit of sweetness
arouse the natural
tenderness

pink warmth
buried
beneath frozen vineyards
and harried faces of men

on this blithe and bonny
first Spring day
the blessed, benevolent
countenance
of  St. Francis
graces our garden

The lucky red Chinese lanterns filled the restaurant atmosphere
with a happy glow. David and I had just concluded
our meal and set about opening our fortune cookies.
David’s read: “Some extra bucks are floating your way”
“I like that!“ he exclaimed, his face lighting up like the
lucky lanterns swaying from the ceiling.

I opened mine: “From the heart you draw true happiness.”
“I like that even better,” quipped David. I agreed contemplating
on how true wealth is not measured by the amount of
green paper or gold bullion we can cram into our pockets
but by the nature and vast reservoir of love stored
up in our hearts. For it is love that brings the bliss of
self knowledge and makes clear our purpose and path of service.

Of course, the green stuff is necessary for a balanced,
optimum life but it should not become the be all
or end all of our lives.

Sathya Sai Baba says: “Wealth does not accompany one
when he leaves the world. Wealth is necessary only for
meeting one’s essential needs.Too much wealth is
an embarrassment like an over-sized shoe.
Too little of it is likely to be painful like a tight-fitting shoe.
So, it is desirable to have only that amount of wealth
that is adequate for one’s basic needs. You should
try to promote the wealth of good conduct, strive to earn
the eternal wealth of the wisdom of the Spirit.
Happiness is union with God."
Lots of Prema,
sonya ki

His name dazzles
the void in my heart

Emptiness grows
bright
when He is present

A chandelier of stars,
a million votives and
all the suns in the universe
fly to His feet

O Luminous One
You can never leave me
and I can never leave You

I think I will read a sacred book
tonight
reminisce on His glories
recount the incredible leelas
of the Lord
then I will sweeten my heart
with songs to my beloved
anything that will bring You
closer
quiet the baying hounds
comfort the lost souls
light a candle in the darkest
hours before the
golden dawn

Ballerina butterflies
flutter joyously
orbiting each other
in ruffled orange tutus

Tinkly, melodious
piano notes of
Swan Lake drift
from the ice cream van
parading down
our avenue

Pirouetting in the
steamy Florida air
they embrace briefly
giving a tiny imperceptible
kick of their
black slippered feet
before wafting in
myriad directions
wings far-flung....

Sheer happiness
lives in their dance
I watch with delight
resting on my
ebony walking cane
as they soon disappear
into a neighbor's
small mango grove

I twirl my rainbow umbrella
on my morning stroll
the mockingbird who usually greets me
***** his wings excitedly
and launches into a melange of
euphonious melodies

Enrapt I also start to croon
welcoming the cooler, balmy days
after a long, hot drought

Gathering a bouquet of
moon white blossoms
strewn like delicate cups of nectar
Under a fragrant tree
I savor my dose of aromatherapy

Family of iridescent starlings
bathe gregariously in the
overflowing gullies
blessed by the recent fresh rains

Jumbo splash of rainbow red
makes my heart leap
like a dolphin
as Mr. Cardinal cruises
through the skies

We are all so very grateful
Divine Mother! Great Goddess!
For Your Precious pearls,
raindrops, heavy dew

That makes all of life go...
Pitter-Patter

The sky looks like an
enormous iridescent
blue butterfly
David says he's only seen
these rarified exotic creatures
in South America
Mariposa Azul
Some say they are wish granters
And to gaze upon their
fragile beauty indicates
a change in luck
Heaven's gilded cage flies open
Music of thousands upon thousands
tiny fluttering azure wings
envelopes our little blue globe
most assuredly
Love, Light and Peace is in the forecast

I bathed in the Ganges
washed away my sins
slept near Her crystal shores
Like a lioness she pounded
rocks into powder
devoured our illness,
suffering.....mortaliy

I saw the Divine Mother
as I walked on the beach
early morning with my hubby

She was in the majestic waves
rising up from the fathomless ocean floor

I witnessed Her in the silver gilled fish struggling
for air at the end of a fishing pole
and in the baby sea turtle crawling toward
open arms mother of pearl

She flashed a celestial smile
when a dolphin a few feet from us
launched itself into the buoyant blue

David and I held hands chanting Om
while She sprayed us
again and again
with salty dawn kisses

You were here
last night
tangled up
in my
ebony dreams
and arms
i can still feel
the mist of your
breath on my
neck
i prayed that you
wouldn't vanish
that this kiss would
last
beyond the
first rays of
Dawn
and the
sweet duet of
the skylark

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
.

veils cascade over
my face
dense mist
plummeting
glacier slopes
obscure mountain peaks
feel the depth of a sadness
frozen in time
an abandoned temple
statues of the goddess
draped in burlap
who will light the
oil lamp
and honor Her with
rose moss incense
and sweet herbs
an owl screeches
unexpectedly
purple shadows
of twilight
gather in
glowing circles

inscrutable mountain buddha
you have buried potent seeds
of your passion
in my heart's quivering
wet petals
red robed monks
carry my spirit on
a celestial palanquin
down a strange river
singing bowls, mist
and the flute's oblong scry
silently my Soul
chants your
name

Radiance of Your ketheric kiss
is all i have left....
sleepless i pace through
the long snowbound polar night
listen to the wolf's forlorn howl
and a woman weeping in the
nether-lands
this abominable separation!
tracking Your crystal footprints
with my heart
Hari!
can you not hear the Soul's lament
sighing over remote, frostbitten blue
trails
that lead nowhere if You are not
present
Companion of Heaven!
when will You visit my tent again?

i cover my head with the
golden hem of my sari
and wipe away charcoal  tears
streaming black with kohl pencil

lips red as *** *** whisper
how much I love you

Your face a shimmering reflection
appears in the deep patina pools
of my crystal prayer beads

Only Your Name
eases this heartache and
helps to keep sanity

Invisible One
fill my nostrils with
the scent of jasmine
and the alluring music of
Your Murali

Blithely, eagerly I clip clusters of spiky purple, verduous
Okinawa spinach for my lunch
adding in fuzzy bright green leaves of Thai spinach
squatting in the corner of the garden

David, AKA, Farmer Brown has certainly been busy
planting, fertilizing, cultivating a miniature farm
in our backyard

Delicate rain kisses fall lightly on my brow
and Day hides her bonnie blue face
in soft gray veils

Gathering the fresh, vibrant bounty
I feel so very blessed
surprising a garland of yellow finches
sipping water at the bird fountain
whoooosh....
lofty wings of my heart
joins them as they take off
in golden flight

My heart is yearning

As the yellow striped bee
yearns for nectar hidden
In flower blossoms
sweet *****

My heart is yearning

As the frozen earth
covered in Winter
yearns for warmth
of the sun

Brooding shadows
fall across lotus ponds
in full bloom
white swans blushing pink
sail by

My hands and feet are dyed red
with henna
but I cannot dance or sing

My heart is yearning, yearning
O my beloved
only for You

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

God visited our house last Sunday
a bright papaya orange butterfly
welcomed Him,
fluttering in loops like a kite
as He stepped out of His car

Embracing our dear friend Jon from
New Jersey
He entered our pagoda
indeed, not as a guest but
as an embodiment of God

The early afternoon was garlanded
in loving, intimate, animated conversation
and a delectable lunch was served to our
beloved  brother
This was topped off with nectar sweet
chocolate coconut prasadam

Everything from matters of the spirit
to soul stirring S.R.F. devotional songs
chanting sublimely
suffused our heavenly day

Even the backyard birds turned out
in large numbers
their cocky red, brown and
sky blue heads
peeking curiously through
the patio door
craned to catch a glimpse
of our divine companion

Jon, His mellow, prayerful eyes
blessing all His gaze fell upon
leaned back comfortably in
the recliner chair
like a long lost friend
returning home ~

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

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

Chant the name of Narayan Chant the name of Narayan
Chant The Name of Narayan
Praise the name of the God you adore
Chant the name of Narayan
Listen to the flute enchanting blue Lord
Listen to the call of God
He is Ram, Krishna, Bhagavan
Sai Infinite one

http://www.sairapture.com/narayan-narayan.html

Today we begin the
celebration
Mother of the Universe
Uma Maheshwari
Other half of Vishwanatha

With a thousand arms
Devi gathers us to her
warm ample *****
snows of Kailash melting

Kisses like swan white
lotus blossoms rain profusely
soothing our frightful anguish

O Ma!
Your children wail loudly
from their earthly crib
lift us up to the heavens...
to the limitless possibilities...

Whisper softly in our ears
"You are all sacred souls"
"You do not die"
"You live forever"

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

To the North, To the South
To the Left, To the Right
Only God Exists

His breath enters every portal
of  being
I close my eyes in dark, starless realms
He glides within
Endless Sun of dreams
illumine the path, veins, arteries
radiating from my heart

Connect us to a higher Highway
above the fruited plain
swirling red dust of our
bones, teeth, marrow
barren desert mirages

God, Beloved Self
the wandering is over
take us home forever

Some may think me unfriendly
aloof
and even downright reclusive
since I am given to
solitude and require
ample periods of quiet reflection

Please understand
this does not mean my love
for you is in any way diminished

From my lofty orbit there are
fewer distractions
less commotion
or confusion

Walls fade away
disintegrate
I can breathe in
the
magnitude of His Love
sense His Presence
unencumbered

In that wide open spacious
wilderness within
I can spread my wings
across the endless star drunk
horizon
gaze up unabashed
into the glorious face of God

and soar

(108 Bhakti Kisses Book Giveaway-paste link to enter)
http://www.sairapture.com/108-bhakti-kisses-book-giveaway.html


O
to touch the stars
to hold
inside this
tiny
embryo fist
one glimmer of Eternity

O
to remember
**Who I Am

It’s a warm evening on the sahara
camel washed sand dunes
rise up like sacred mountains in the
red distance
I unzip the flap of my
nomad tent
dry desert winds
plait golden grains of sand
through my nubian hair

Sai Krishna
my heart is a parched fig
monsoon tears flood the nile
and my mind plays ***** tricks on me
mirages robed in ochre
waver across the striped horizon

Peacock Lord
Your Radha has prepared a basin of
fragrant myrrh
to anoint your lotus feet
flowers gathered from the gardens of
Isis
are eager to adorn Your divine neck

Prema Swaroopa!
Answer the ardent prayer of Your devotee
before the moon rises a silver swan
in the heavens

Swami~
The Ocean cast  garlands of pearls
at your Lotus Feet
Varuna the Sea god knelt  in awe
I stand in that vast azure temple
surrounded by a choir of waves
all singing Your divine name
while the morning sun performs arathi
the earth and all its inhabitants bow
robed in light

We sat by the shore
listening....

It’s scary out there Sai Ma
sometimes I just want to
hide in the folds of your orange skirt
tuck my head under your
manifold all embracing arms
Universal Mother
Please wipe the tears from
our red rimmed eyes
and kiss the boo boo
on our broken hearts

Rolling down St. John's Heritage Highway
after Sean, my grandson's birthday party
I belt out my pioneer song with vigor
echoing across the vast beauty,
wide open, sacred spaces
pristine vistas

Norman Rockwell cows grazing
in bygone pastures happily
moo along

Driving past the yellow deer crossing sign
Florida woodlands giddyap near the edge of the road
long brown antlers prancing to
a timeless rhythm

I hope and pray that I can somehow
kindle a spark of appreciation
in my niece and grandsons
so that they may behold
the baffling greatness
and mystery that is our universe

These young'uns are mighty attached to the
virtual reality, world and landscape
of computer technology

A sprinkling of cowboy stars flash
an omnipresent wink
Sunset bonfire explodes across
the frontier horizon

Turning the corner onto Emerson Drive
smoldering scarlet orange embers
reflecting lights
shoot fireworks, launch rockets
through an ever expanding field of vision

the jhoola is damp from
evening rains
still I enjoy swinging under
misty twilight skies
the moon beaming a toothless grin

Funny how it all feels so real
solid, permanent
I’ll always be Sonya ki
in this familiar body,
surroundings and place

I gaze at puddles
of silvery water glistening
over the garden beds
visions from the past float to the
surface
not too long ago I was living in
Arkansas, and before that the big apple
childhood memories of my mother’s
comforting voice and soft lap
eclipses the other images morphing
into a cascade of ever changing
ephemeral moments in time

If nothing stays the same then
what is it that resounds through
the hills and valleys of my being
like an eternal echo

That fixed point where the sun never rises nor sets
Splendor enthroned within
Immortal witness
Beloved

“Consciousness is neither inward turned nor outward turned nor both
It is not undifferentiated, it is beyond cognition and non cognition.
Not experienced by the senses nor known by comparison or inference,
incomprehensible, unthinkable and indescribable,
pure consciousness, the real Self, the cessation of all phenomena,
tranquil, all-blissful, one without a second,
this fourth state (Turiya ), the Atma (Real Self)
(Eternal Witness)
is to be realized”
~Mandukya Upanishad

Remember God
My breath says
Remember God
It says again

"Right before Sai Baba comes out there is a rush of anticipation and excitement that sweeps through the air. Birds flutter, monkeys scamper, as if all of nature is pining for a glimpse of the Lord. Swami floated in doing His Divine dance. His feet graced the majestic red carpet garlanded with fragrant petals. I watched mesmerized as He moved closer, all the time praying, “Swami please bless this, I don't want to have to do this again!”

Sai Baba stopped next to two women on my left and granted them padanamaskar. Then, He turned to me. I lifted the bag hoping for a simple Blessing. To my astonishment and wonder of wonders, Sai Baba proceeded to open the bag and placed His Divine hands inside the bag looking for the opening in the blanket. Sticking my hand inside the bag too, I attempted to help Him open it. It was a comical scene and the devotees witnessing this unusual interaction laughed merrily. After a few moments, He suddenly stopped, stared piercingly into my eyes and said, “That's all right, you keep, you keep.”
He blessed the objects again touching each item on the tray while simultaneously visibly inhaling deep breaths and charging them with pure Shakti (power). What Bliss!

There were two other women sitting to my right. Swami approached them and inquired, “Where are you from?” “Australia,” they replied. They asked Swami for an interview. Baba asked when they were leaving. They said, “Tonight, Swami.” Then Swami did something that baffles me to this day. He answered them but directed the answer to me. He bent down very close to my face. I could see the fiery red veins of His Shiva eyes flashing like lightning flames so much power emanated from them. I knew that I was gazing into infinity, time crystallized and ceased to exist in those few moments.

Looking point blank at me, Sai Baba said, “Yes, I will see you before you go!” Then He stepped back and started to wave His hand in that familiar circular manner. I could distinctly feel a strange wind blowing around us. From the ether, silvery white ash known as vibhuti poured forth! This ethereal ash has curative restoring powers. Sai Baba is frequently seen materializing vibhuti; it is a natural expression of His Divinity. Swami gave the two women some vibhuti, He gave me some of this sacred ash and the two other women to my left. After this awesome Darshan, I was in an altered state for the rest of the trip."
~Sai Rapture, P. 54, 55, By Sonya Ki Tomlinson

Paste link below for song and video
**http://www.sairapture.com/om-jai-jai-guru.html

The sky is drunk with the sound of
Om

Birds, all the insects and animals
on the planet are possessed with
the music of Om

I look into your eyes
my friend
and the Om
is glittering there

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

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

Beloved
the restless mind and wayward senses
have ceased their tormented struggle
insatiable wanderlust


Bliss of
Your adorable Presence
holds them captive!


The serpent who devours  time
is caught
in a divine stranglehold
and
welcomes only Your ardent embrace
kiss of life


Shedding skin
I am free to love You
body, mind and soul