GraceLandlocked in Fur
I was meditating with my cat the other day
and all of a sudden she shouted,
"What happened?"
I knew exactly what she meant, but encouraged
her to say more - feeling that if she got it all out on the table
she would sleep better that night.
So I responded, "Tell me more, dear,"
and she soulfully meowed,
"Well, I was mingled with the sky. I was comets
whizzing here and there. I was suns in heat, hell - I was
galaxies. But now look - I am
landlocked in fur."
To this I said, "I know exactly what
you mean."
What to say about conversation
between
mystics?
Tukaram
I was meditating with my cat the other day
and all of a sudden she shouted,
"What happened?"
I knew exactly what she meant, but encouraged
her to say more - feeling that if she got it all out on the table
she would sleep better that night.
So I responded, "Tell me more, dear,"
and she soulfully meowed,
"Well, I was mingled with the sky. I was comets
whizzing here and there. I was suns in heat, hell - I was
galaxies. But now look - I am
landlocked in fur."
To this I said, "I know exactly what
you mean."
What to say about conversation
between
mystics?
Tukaram
8 comments:
Ah, just as I was beginning to lose faith in poetry, this comes along to surprise and delight. Thank you!
Great poem! Thanks!
Who's Tukaram?
Tukaram (c. 1608 --1649) is the most influential figure in the development of Marathi literature, and probably the most famous saint who wrote in that language. He was born in the small village of Dehu on the banks of the river Indrayani and Maharashtra, India, not far from the still-thriving city of Poona. He was remarkably prolific; some attribute 8000 short poems to him. He wrote entirely in Marathi. His poems were playful and earthy, sometimes very innocent and sometimes thought-provoking, often changing from serious to comical within a few lines. His poems in the vernacular are called "abhangs", which are poetic songs of a teaching and devotional nature. Even today many children in India grow up hearing these poems (the milder ones) recited and set to contemporary music. It is commonly believed that Tukaram attained the same spiritual heights as Rumi, Hafiz, and Kabir. Like Hafiz, it is said his poems are an intimate journal of discovering God within. They are also similar to Hafiz's work in their brilliant humor.
From "Love Poems from God" Daniel Ladinsky
Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you for this adorable poem, Meredith, and also for the teaching on Tukaram, Joe!
love,
Nice words...
Take care
Ahh..lovely! My furry mystics and I thank you for this today and for your most graceful presence. I leave you with this in gratitude:
First He looked confused
I could not lie anymore
so I started to call
my dog "God."
First he looked
confused,
then he started smiling,
then he even danced.
I kept at it:
now he doesn't even
bite.
I am wondering if this
might work on
people?
Tukaram
I've mentioned this great poem, and your other recent posting about Heidegger and Coffee, in my Blog of the Grateful Bear: the July 12th entry, "Into the Mystic Blogosphere."
You always post such wonderful stuff!!! Thanks to both of you for creating such a graceful and sacred space on the web.
Ahh, Darrell,
I was hoping you'd be by to see this poem, and of course, fall in love with Grace. You make me smile. Thank you for your kind words on your post. Yes, there are sacred space to be found here, on this ground of being.
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