From the editor: It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that yesterday afternoon Janavi Held, a very dear friend and spiritual sister of mine, and regular contributor to our poetry project has left us after struggling with a terminal illness for years. She left peacefully surrounded by loved ones. This is the last poem she wrote, in which she calls out to Divinity to take her.
I've Found in You
love like an ocean I’ve found in You
my little dear one and yet, I know You
run off at night playing God, but my sweet
I am grateful that You return to me in the day
spilling Your silky voice into my wanting ears
and drenching my eyes with all that lovely sweetness.
Your hands are little gems, which capture the morning light
Your palms are like the sunrise itself and your eyes, so deep,
as if the enormity of love could live there effortlessly.
Take me away with You my sweet
for You know my heart is Yours
as You’ve stolen it away
by glancing at me with
Your gleaming smile
such sweet lips and cheeks
how lovely you are
my sweet, my sweet
how lovely!
As solid and comforting as the tree of life
You are my North star
and my center
my love I long to go with You
where ever you go
I want to climb onto your back
and run with you
laughing into a river of flowers
I want to bring You roses
and vegetables from my heart’s garden
Please don’t keep me, Your little thing, away from You...
Please my sweet darling one
bring me where I will be natural
where all un-natural concerns fade
in the light of Your divinity
(This is a work of photographic autobiographic art by the author,
titled "Life in the Butterfly World". In it she is pictured dancing.)
titled "Life in the Butterfly World". In it she is pictured dancing.)
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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