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I STILL DON'T LOVE YOU by Urmila Devi Dasi


I was stuck in Heathrow Airport for about nine hours after an eight-hour flight…

Then there were the nine hours of being stuck in a plane on a frozen runway before that, and other flights before that. I was tired, sweaty, and altogether wondering if I would ever make it to my destination of Vrindavana, India, or if my luggage would. I did; it didn't.

But, anyway, in the airport, waiting for my detoured flight to Thailand, I felt solace and happiness at watching the many passengers wearing varieties of religious clothing, just as I was. In that mood, I wrote this piece:

 
I Still Don’t Love You

Everything in life, Lord, you direct
Though not seeing you we quickly forget
How you’re everywhere and in everything
And all life’s situation happiness brings
To one who never fails to see your grace
The author pictured on right
Evidence even in the filth of this place
So many, Lord, try to come to you
I see them around me—Muslim, Hindu and Jew
They wear their symbols and garb as I do
Telling the world worship is your due
Their sentiments inspire, I pay them respect
And know I still don’t love you, not yet!



Photography by Peggy Abrams
Urmila Devi Dasi (Dr. Edith Best) has been practicing bhakti yoga since 1973 and travels the world teaching the science of the Bhagavad Gita and the practical application of bhakti to life. She has a PhD in education and has three decades of experience teaching primary and secondary students, which include 19 years of experience as a school administrator and leader. She has published Vaikuntha Children, a guidebook for devotional education, The Great Mantra for Mystic Meditation, dozens of articles, and Dr. Best Learn to Read, an 83 book complete literacy program with technology enabling the story books to speak in 25 languages at the touch of a special “pen”. Urmila and her husband, Pratyatosa, have three grown married children and eleven grandchildren. In 1996, Urmila and Pratyatosa entered the renounced order of life, or vanaprastha, in Sanskrit. You may connect with her through her website here, or subscribe to her on Facebook. 

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~

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Comments

  1. Jessica MMarch 4, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    I love how the bhakti path seems to honor other paths in their recognition and reverence towards God. You captured that well here. Very humble poem. Enjoyed it. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine L. SchweigMarch 4, 2013 at 5:20 AM

      Yes, Jessica. That also moved me: the way Urmila so swiftly identified herself with those of other religious traditions, meditating on how she -along with so many other souls- are moving toward God, together. Best of all, she drew inspiration from seeing them! Very sweet. :)

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 4, 2013 at 5:39 AM

      i like the setting & how she provides the context of reflective 'people-watching' in the airport for this poem.
      Thank you

      Delete
    3. Catherine L. SchweigMarch 4, 2013 at 5:44 AM

      I've always loved people watching, Evan. Ever since I was a little girl. And I would try to imagine what they are thinking and feeling, and where they are going. Perhaps, in this case, the author is imagining how close each of these people in religious dress are getting to God.

      Delete
  2. PremadasMarch 11, 2013 at 12:36 AM

    PAMHO!AGTŚP!Exellent poetry!Inspire to grov up my Krishna Counscious in loking for other's people!Thamk You for this shearing!Hare Krishna!Y.s.Parananda Prema dasa.

    ReplyDelete

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