(Editors note: Janavi, 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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Beautiful and uplifting!!!
ReplyDeleteMeno<3