Up in the High Places, The Spring of Humanity is Born (new poem)

 

Up in the High Places, The Spring of Humanity is Born (new poem)

by Tim Kavi

up across your high places

are many footprints

and scents across the rocks

mystics new and old

we traverse the caverns

where your stories are told.

I sought your many faces

walking with them 

to behold your doting graces

there is only the fainting winds

where the fire had moved quickly

humanity's warlike disgraces.

Had dotted the landscapes

tainted the visions

hid the messages of your word

where the eclipse of war

blinded the already deaf

and hindered our steps toward.

we the seekers in peace

and truth, dally not

but hasten our climbs in hope

held on your wings of love

they are our constant rope

as we incite your Spring arrival.

Meadow's Mourning (new poem)

"Meadow's Mourning"

by Tim Kavi

Overlooking a battlefield's view at sunrise

There was a gentle breeze

surrounding all the sounds 

they had ever made

breathing those sacred movements

there was light seen

made visible in lives lived

through the trees

while our tears fell

We vowed to never forget

our fallen ones

brothers and sisters

lost in the gleaming steam of war

where the Spirit lives

our love for them lingers

in bountiful gratitude

of freedom's flow

there are smiles to the unbounded

that take us in the purchased glow

of the morning's

visits to the memories

of pleasant companions

of all meaning

remembrances in our mournings of sorrow. 

AFTERWORD: A poem in appreciation of those who serve and served, on Veteran's Day. In remembrances of the wounded and those serving, and how we all recall those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. (This includes my great uncle Frank, whose plane went down in the English Channel during The Battle of Britain. He was a volunteer American Air Force pilot). ~~TK

When Mars Fell Asleep (New Poem)

When Mars Fell Asleep

by Tim Kavi

boys want to play army in fields

lined with mines

they walk among their friends' blood

ghosts in the shadows

at your lap o Goddess, sleeping

lies the gods of war

the weapons of war lie at their feet

abandoned as once you were

love has won out in the future of bliss

where shadows walk openly in the sun

and gardens are again planted

in romantic passions of youth revisited

even to the very old

the streets are cleaned of spoils

reminders of the follies of gain

while warlike tribes and leaders think

that nothing lasts of temperate mold

what is without entropy; only the power of love

love has vanquished the dark night of souls

but Mars is only sleeping

may he wake up and find you again and again

your love is everlasting and patient

cities are in your fold

but the bombed out ruins need to be rebuilt

into new shining squares

and the weapons turned into ploughshares

must be cleaned while children

are allowed to be children again.

Mars and Venus by Botticelli

For the hope of peace and knowledge of a sure love,
some might see a vague reference to the influence of Lucretius here--TK

Transit of Venus (New Poem)

Transit of Venus

by Tim Kavi

And when the moulds

the gods did pour

upon your birthing shore

they all said:

Venus Aphrodite!

Your beauty

has never been seen before.

But through all legends and time

your loving light has lit

the hearts of every woman

and desires of every man

whom your love has bit

yet, all mortals want to adore You!

and when you rode that steed

escaping to your lover's arms

you outwitted the god of light

you were faster than the Sun

coming back, escaping Apollo

to love again and again

Cupid did get a mighty shove!

(but became the eventual messenger of love)

sweet silence

in the valleys below

when all mortal men

beheld you

they were

hushed in the act of war

dumbfounded helpless planners

forgot their warlike manners

when your gown

drifted down

from the halls

of Olympus!

the warring nations stopped

to have a look.

sweet Venus Aphrodite

in you, are all that love made complete

but only beneath your loving feet! 

For vanquished love

breeds a new poem

a visit after a long journey

a piper

a song

of your mighty love!

were all reminded

in your journey

recently witnessed

the rarest sight;

the transit of Venus.

The Burning Word (New Poem)

The Burning Word
by Tim Kavi

when in my innocence
I lingered at your feet
sought your face
that was covered still
at the shame you saw in the world

Oh, crying Mother
you weep for your children
I saw your tears drop to the Earth
it waters the dry lands of many
men's hearts

while their weapons of war
they make
they know not you wait
for their turning to a better way
but will it come in time?

Your tears fall
and I know you long to gather them
but they will not

Crying in the wilderness
my tears run after yours
I am but a man who needs
your love's redemption
to tell his true story
is to utter the burning word

I want to lift my voice
and yell
at the outrage of your tears
I want to say O Mother
fill my mouth
with your words
may they cut down this hell

I want to stay here
and just be held from you
but you are telling me
no, calling me
gently prodding me
to tell all that live
in this special place

to turn to the Other
the transcendent
the Divine You
and to know the ways

the ways of love
the paths of certain forgiveness
and the joys of communion

and I must go back
from the mountain of meeting
with you

and learn
for You are written
on every compassionate woman's face
who walks in grace
who is also redeemed by your
very Nature

in all the villages
and hamlets
in all the slums
in all the towns
and the urban pathos
of sought for meaning
in the stinking greed
and corruption
that takes from the poor
their sustainance

your waiting Arms reach for!

may we listen to you
walk with each other
and love and be loved
before it is too late.

Waiting for Your Appearing (New Poem)

Waiting For Your Appearing
by Tim Kavi

faraway lands you stepped on
traveled across seas
landscapes you danced like the gazelle,
and your footsteps are approaching
the sounds of your coming filled the hall

anticipating your return
all the world stood waiting

dont be caught sleeping the gatekeeper said
Her guardians will leave you dead!

I prayed your garments would not be those worn in war
I know you carried heads on your belt
I don't want to be another notch in your conquest
through war

but I only call to you in love
speak soft words to your gentle wind
kissing you only with permission
and only whenyou want it, then too much

for my devotion to you is not wanting
no mystery is there
see these poems I write?
I cannot stop

seeking you
staring at the path
walking it but without you
I dare not

spare me is ever a persistent thought!

for history keeps unfolding
in new patterns of meaning
drunken men are scheming your demise
drunk with power and blood
and greed

they see you not
black night -- Kalaratri
when you come in dark surprise
your armies are swifter than they

but today you return in your greatness
I stay off in the corner
with my head bowed and praying

I seek forgiveness and redemption
please, I am just saying
remember me in love
forgiveness and peaceful reassuring

gentle mother Goddess
I await your peaceful appearing
redeemed in your love.

More About Goddesses: Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War (Essay)

Athena – Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War 

by Tim Kavi

The Greek goddess Athena, often portrayed as full of mercy, strong, and fair, skill and endeavor,  is also considered the goddess of heroes and the heroic journey.  Also viewed as a representative of Divine Intelligence, and as a goddess of warfare, she was considered the patron goddess of Athens.  According to legend, she had quite an unusual birth. Her father, Zeus, ate his first wife, Metis, because he feared when she became pregnant that she had in her womb the son that was prophesied to usurp him of his own throne. This caused him a great headache, worse than any other, and to be rid of it he let another god open up his head. At this moment, it is said that Athena sprang forth from the forehead of Zeus and she was fully clothed in the attire of war.

So, it was not the son he feared that came out – rather his beautiful, full grown daughter Athena, already dressed in full golden body armor that was “born”. Athena became Zeus’ favorite child, motherless as she was. She was the only one that he told his secret of where to find his lightning bolts, plus she was trusted to guard his magic shield.

Generally, Athena is seen with a spear in her hand, and her helmet of gold tipped to show her beauty. Although she was dressed for battle, she was much more known for her job as diplomat, judge and mediator. People knew her for her fair and compassionate decisions. Stories also tell of how she helped many other gods, goddesses and heroes out when they were faced with a great problem that seemed impossible.

She was probably the start to the first independent woman. Referred to as a virgin, she was not swayed by Aphrodite, and she stayed independent of all of the responsibilities of marriage and being a mother. You did not hear of romance or marriage in Athena’s story.

In Roman mythology, she is known as Minerva, and according to Plato she is also prefigured by the Egyptian goddess, Neith.

Poet's Note:  Later, this post was reprinted as a Foreword in a 2013 edition of 'Athena Queen of the Air' by John Ruskin.  The book has much more additional material about the Goddess Athena. I hope that readers of both resources--don't mind that this entry remains here on my blog. You can get the Kindle eBook: 'Athena: Queen of the Air' by clicking here.

Masks of the Goddess: Returning from War (New Poem)

Masks of the Goddess: Returning from War
by Tim Kavi


Masks of the Goddess
concealed You
I realized that every one
was the revealed You
real and true


uttered silence
not raising the head
pilgrims prostrated
on the consuming hill


path to your vision
to your purpose
blinded to your will


but seeking in faith
glimpses of You
the road winds upwards
straight and out of sight


climbing a ladder
into the freezing
clouds of delight


there is only silence 
in the chilly night


dancing there
flowing blindly
getting a faint view


the raining tears
of sorrow's calling
wanting to gather her young
too many are missing
killed by the death that war had brung


the tears
fall down from heaven
or was it the misty
mountaintop?
impossible to reach?


it seems too far to go
carry me somehow
on your bridal wings


my weapons fall from my belt
there is nothing in them anymore
they are dull and stained too red


my hands too dirty
my heart too callused
my hair too matted
my beard unshaven
long and flapping in the wind

my heart carries the wounds of those recently dead
my Goddess I had forgotten what you said
I could not show compassion
their smell reaches up here


forgive me my schemes born in war
my heart won in fear
my wounds deeper than bullet holes


deceived me took my soul
this death is evil's whore


I am lost and alone
do not know my way back
but must soon descend


hope you forgive me
and love me
I will come home soon.