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MY SISTERS by Janavi Held


(Editors noteJanavi, the author of this poem, and my dear friend, sadly left us last December. Today, June third, is her birthday. I share this poem of hers with you in loving remembrance of the beautiful poet and person she was.)

This is an offering from my heart to all my sisters. I have discovered, as the years roll by, that friendship is beyond value...

My Sisters
by Janavi Held

How I wish we were there
together climbing
to safety
into the arms
of the stately grandmother tree
dreaming her earthy dreams
soaking in her love
her ancient wisdom
oh sister
how I wish to take your hand
and run far
into the coolness
of an early spring morning
chattering to each other
of the sky and clouds
and running to that river
where we discovered our hearts,
where we wept in grief,
where joy turned to reverence,
our limbs became sanctified
by that holy water,
rolling endlessly,
beating like our hearts,
like the sounds the earth makes
when her children come to nestle in her dirt,
to heal all the cracks
and bleeding wounds
what is the use of happiness
when you
my sisters
are grieving?
what is the use of singing
if you have lost your voice?
come, come play
our mother whispers
come to me my sisters
I will transform your tears.


Photography by the author Janavi Held 


Janavi Held is the author of Letters to my Oldest Friend: A Book of Poetry and Photography. She has also contributed poems to two poetry anthologies, Bhakti Blossoms: A Collection of Contemporary Vaishnavi Poetry and GODDESS: When She Rules: Expressions by Contemporary Women. Two of her poems were shortlisted for the prestigious Hamilton House International Poetry Prize awarded by the University Centre Grimsby, and published in their anthology "Eternal". Janavi started writing poetry and wandering around with her father’s camera as a child. At the age of nineteen, she began practicing Bhakti yoga. She held a bachelor’s degree from Goddard College where she studied poetry, photography, and media studies. She passed away peacefully in December of 2018 after having battled a brutal illness. You may read more of her poems and view her artwork on her website here and Facebook page here

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