Sunday, April 28, 2013

Vows (new poem)





Vows (new poem)
by Tim Kavi


some say things
in the heat of passion
or the throes of love
but in the gentle promises
of an everyday love
my vows to you, Goddess
are not broken

I may weep for a night
wail for a season
toss ashes on my head
lie unshaven in sickness
fasting until weak in body
strong in spirit

Yet your voice does not stop
calling me to a deeper place
one that does not judge
or reproach me
except for righteous seeing
and a knowing every thing

some think that only a male (deity)
can see everywhere at once
but there is only a knowing
in your power of self assured
place; the movement of a Goddess
in grace; that some imagine

should not always be
mistaken for the benevolent
mother; but instead are
the callings of one
who seeks to gather in strong
voice; the vows are not weak

so calling, turning
and yearning the shackles enduring
to drop off my hands and feet
turned like phantom keys at once
in the burning
candlelight vows of silence

I read your words
in the light but must wait the
appearing of Furies
to turn the pages in windy visitation
such coolness are your words
modern leaders should take heed

for in the Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra
सुवर्णप्रभासोत्तमसूत्रेन्द्रराज; Sutra of the Golden Light
I need the protection
of Sarasvati, Lakshmi, and Drdha
Earth goddess--please save us from night!
For there is only in the dawning

the candle light
has burned out; but the new day
has come. I speak my vows
with renewed fervor
your voice is still speaking
I must utter this poem

Dear sweet Goddess
lead us home
to your love; and a turning
to each other; be not angry
in my responsbility
my vows must not be broken

to turn to You
with an open heart
to serve others
to help and to heal
to speak a word of kindness
while walking with the Dharma wheel

for I would rather
have a vow of love for my fellow
man and woman
than any vow of disgrace
revenge or hate

for it is the vows
you brought me
when I as a chained one
was never free
but now I walk out of here
at full liberty

and on the distant hill
the lights of home
call me back
to the place I ever will
remain in your love
it is only a graceful meeting

of the vows
of turning to each other
met there
in the words of constant revealing
what is truly between
you and me
in your daily appearing.

Poet's Afterword: Perhaps you are curious about the Golden Light Sutra, a sutra that if read aloud can bring peace in the midst of a violent world, and if believed just a little--could bring great benefit. Here is a link to downloads of the Golden Light Sutra . Also, you can click here to read a article about the benefits of this Mahayana Buddhist text. The sutra, as well as this poem makes reference to several goddesses, notably, Sarasvati (Saraswati) aka Benzaiten. Saraswati, a manifestation of Maa Durga, and re-personified as Benzaiten is an important goddess in both Hinduism and Buddhism. The Asian letters; characters that when written, represent Benzaiten, implies a Goddess that is skillful at discourse (among many other attributes), hence the poem ends with an encounter with the Goddess in "words of constant revealing". The Sutra itself, is highly regarded as an important work in Mahayana Buddhism. ~~TK

Sunday, April 21, 2013

geometry of places spun (new poem)

by creative artist Will Segerman


geometry of places spun
by Tim Kavi

above me 
lies a returning circle
recurrent again
bringing me to the traverse
same path; timelines bend

below a line
there's a place
flatter than flatland
we exist as
miracles of grace

we move our beings
through space and time
alive and glimmering
where reality as we know it

are mere markings 
for on the cave wall
are shadows dancing
in the firelight
of some grand figures tall

nothing else is seen
in the ghostly memories
of reality's soft sheen
there seems only what some
say it is
the land of dreams

and if the rest
my eyes could see
in some kiss or embrace
a devotion of the familiar
in some previously
forgotten place

so that when
the sun goes down
they tell me
tomorrow I am the same
I will not believe them
although I have the name

so that when 
they tell me, that tomorrow
whenever, however it's done
will surely advisedly
always come

let me make sure
the world is not lying
to my senses
let me touch the appearing
warping gates
in the wall's defenses

but You are not there
my hand passing through it
the implements extended
I cannot grasp them
but I know something
was there; existent

collapsing space time
offers no regret
in the death
of memorable times spent
and yet

tomorrow I do awaken
it is another place
another life
and I and everyone
are different
so very different

some said forsaken
bought and bruised
reality's wave riders
forgotten and abused
but those beliefs do fade
in freedom's choosing gliders

fallen and shaken
fallible; yet rising again
there is only You and Me
to form them
in reality's contemplation

so be careful
when you imagine what is true
for tomorrow you might discover
that it was only You.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

More About Goddesses: The Hindu Goddess Kali (New Essay)



More about Goddesses: The Hindu Goddess Kali
By Tim Kavi
Kali, also known as the Dark Mother, is a ferocious form of the mother goddess which can be quite fearful as well. Those who are devoted to this goddess can form a very deep and intimate bond despite the fearful and intense appearance of this goddess. Kali takes her followers in, assuming the mother role and treating them as her children.

She is one of the first of ten Mahavidyas in the Hindu tradition. Others include Shodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Tara, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Matangi, Dhumavati, Bugala Muki and Kamala. Due to this association, Kali is also known as Adya in her firstborn form. These goddesses represent the ten essential energies that bring about the ten essential insights sought through the main paths of Tantra Yoga. Kali, the first of these goddesses teaches that life seems temporary, but in reality both time and life are endless. Death is merely an illusion that the Kali mantra can be used to overcome. Those that choose to follow this mantra must be willing to give up their attachment to the body. This helps her followers remove the insecurity associated with the first Chakra, or fears located in the primitive brain and brain stem.

Kali is the consort of Lord Shiva, and is often depicted standing on Shiva’s form. Placing her foot on Shiva subdues her anger. Her name translates to “the black one,” referring to the fact that she is an entity that is beyond time. Kali is depicted with black coloring as a contrast to Shiva, symbolizing the time that was created with her manifested in her creation.



The Dark Mother is most well-known for sending the Mother Gauri Shakti to free the other gods from the demonic clutches of Nishumbh and Shumbh when these forces conquered the celestial plane, astral plane and earth, establishing her place as one of the foremost goddesses in Hindu culture.

Poet's Afterword:  At the time of the initial publication of this column in 2013, we are on the eve of the third day of Navratri.  Maa Durga has her nine Avatars during the nine nights of this Hindu festival. On the seventh day of Navratri, it is sometimes viewed as the time of worshiping the Hindu goddess Kali. (In this case, Maa Durga's incarnation as Kali). ~~TK

If you liked this column you will like my eBook Collection, More About Goddesses, even more! You can order it here! Also, don't forget it's simple to view a Kindle ebook on any device with an App (or even in a web browser), the FREE apps for doing so are here.  My kids and I appreciate the support, you see, they need me home, and I'm trying to get there!  Thanks!~~TK

Monday, April 8, 2013

Publication News: Tim Kavi Celebrates National Poetry Month with eBook about Walt Whitman

Click on the Image to Order the Kindle Edition


Poet Tim Kavi celebrates National Poetry Month with the publication of his essay on Walt Whitman: The Embodied Poet of Existence. Basically, the essay is a brief discussion of Whitman juxtaposed with one of his most famous poems, I Sing the Body Electric. This ebook essay should be of interest to Walt Whitman fans, students, (using it as a resource and Study Guide for Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric"), as well as Tim Kavi readers. In this essay, Tim Kavi offers a unique perspective as a poet with a background in existential philosophies and psychology.--TiLu Press (Exclusive Publisher of Tim Kavi's Works).

Dear Readers:  Walt Whitman, has long been one of my favorite poets.  The classic 'Leaves of Grass' is priceless.  I hope you will enjoy his poems, and especially his poem: 'I Sing the Body Electric' which his been reproduced in its entirety in this humble eBook essay, where I offer a commentary on that poem. Enjoy! ~~TK   Click Here to Purchase the Kindle Edition.  EPub and other Editions Coming Soon.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Spring Arrival (Poem)












Spring Arrival
by Tim Kavi

you are the bird
outside my window
that sings

you are the snow
that melting
the river brings

you are everything
that arises

in the turning
of the new
you are the living
words
that love surprises

it is better
to be in your arms
and call them home
than anywhere

it is better
to be kissing
your lips
eye to eye
hair to hair

for your love
and sweet growing
purpose
has brought
me to you

Spring Arrival.