Prayer of the Pandemic (new poem)

 

Prayer of the Pandemic

by Tim Kavi

tonight there is no hiding

from the terrible truth

there is much suffering in the world

in India, Brazil, and here in the US

there is so much loss

all over the world

no other words matter

and may not for some time

but, may the heart of compassion

seek the earnest prayers

and intercessions

from all who will pray

and state with all sincerity

what matters the most

is the cessation of this suffering

my prayers and I hope yours too

is for the healing balm

to be applied to this stricken world

and that relief may flow

and comfort all those afflicted

and strength to those applying that balm

our prayers are with you

our chants and mudras

our entreaties and intercessions

our two hands lifted

our souls united

from all faiths

and corners of the world

God be with us all

and may the arms of those that pray

move among us, Durga, or GuanYin

be around all of those who 

cannot be comforted by touch

finding the many arms of compassion

still surround you

and an angel's wing

still brushes by you

touching you

the hugs of absent brother or sister

mother or father,

friend or lover,

spouse or child,

the kisses of our love 

and compassion

goes out to the world

to be healed,

and to not be afraid!

we will live!

we will recover!

we will be remembered

and we will never be forgotten

in the hearts of those that love us

and walk with us in this time

of darkness, let there be these

lights in the world!

of ever redeeming love

and the healing memories of what

who and where we have loved!

until the scourge is one day forgotten

and the hope of life is redeemed

by our mindful turning

and reflections upon lives

lived!

In the face of this, we live,

we breathe, and have our being!

4-22-2021

Step up! Step Lively! (poem of protest)

Step Up! Step Lively!

by Tim Kavi

Step up! Step Lively!

Ascending certainty of your existence

shaking a fist at uncertainty

with a replacement of surety

to avoid its restraints

and assert that, yes, all lives matter!

so stop

and step lively

shake a fist! shout!

they claim they're just following orders

and procedures, rights due them,

when they leave people

lying on the ground

those stupid fuckers!

so, stop!

Step up! Step lively! 

All over the world

we are telling

shouting screaming

your destiny is hurled

towards a single point

of compassionate humanity

an overflowing sense 

of world community

born of tragedy

borne on the wings

of overcomers

in the winds of change!

so step up! Step lively!

come up higher

and be not faint!

Step Up! Step Lively! 

Mission of Mercy (New Poem)

"Mission of Mercy"by Tim Kavi

what was needed

in the faded arms

of age

was a mission

purposeful embodiments

out among the stars

yet the blood dripping

down the sleeves

into the snow

turned the world into blood

such hatred

evil hearts mistreated others

where almost forgotten

a new life

was born

into the glistening

hope of a thousand

songs and smiles

a promise

a yearning

a deeply felt love

for all there is

there was

a verse that brought meaning

the tenements

the earthy streets

stained beats

of a million names lost

of a young one

looking for old

an old one looking to be young

long lines, lined up in the cold

She moved gracefully

bringing peace

seven loaves and fishes

to the dying

the lost

the cold

the sick

the frail

the small child who never made it

to shore

She took it

brought it

and sung it

a mission of mercy

to a dark, speckled world.

More About Goddesses: Green Tara (essay)

More About Goddesses: Green Tara

By Tim Kavi

Tara refers to the savior-goddess in Buddhist mythology, more commonly referred to as Sgrol-ma. She is considered to be one of the mantras heard in Tibet and acts in a light of universal compassion which is a stronger form of a mother’s love for her children. It is said that Tara is responsible for guiding her followers on the path to enlightenment, providing longevity and protecting her followers through earthly travel.

Before Tara was considered a part of Buddhism she was depicted as one of the manifestations of Parvati in Hinduism. According to later traditions, Tara was born from the compassionate tears of Avalokitesharva when he looked upon the suffering of humans. These tears formed a lake where lotus blossoms bloomed. A beam of blue light emanated from one of these flowers and brought forth Tara. Tara appears in many forms, each with its own symbolism and power.

Green Tara is represented by the half-open lotus which represents that night. With time she will transform into the white lotus as she reaches full bloom, representing grace and serenity. Green Tara focuses on compassion for those that must labor night and day to relieve the suffering of others. It was once believed that every pious woman was an incarnation of Tara, though some will take on more green or white aspects depending on their nature.

Green Tara is also associated with a sense of vigor and youth. She is often depicted as being very active and fierce, though the actions she takes are always filled with compassion for those she is interacting with. Some believe that Green Tara is a self-born form of the Buddha Amitabha, and this will often be depicted in her headdress. Other stories say she was incarnated as a wife of the Tibetan king Srong-brtsan-sgam-po because in this culture green is a symbol for accomplishment and this king was known as the lord of action.

When she is depicted, Green Tara is often shown in a posture that is relaxed though still ready to take action at any time. Her left leg is usually folded in the contemplated position, but her right will often be outstretched so she could quickly move into action if necessary. She will frequently be shown holding blue lotuses as a representation of her origin story and will wear rich jewelry. It is quite common for people to illustrate her this way as a way of calling upon her compassionate nature.

simple things (new poem)

simple things
by Tim Kavi

simple things
are just a few words
but the words
are full of meaning

simple things
are behaviors that
offered to the masses
lead you to great mission

or maybe
just to love
and be loved?

did you ever see
a smile that lit up your world?
felt a hug that you knew
afterwards no matter what

everything would be ok?
swirls of wind did not
steal your soul
although it took all you had

that you would love again
that you would live again
did you ever see
a glance, no a looking
that said something to you

that besought you?
what is your answer
to the simple things
that show the suffering

in the world?

is it only the humble
open heart
to love back
to give something
to answer a call

the best you could
but with everything you are
these are the simple things
everywhere you go today
needing responses

to walk that way
for it always leads
to Nature
to the human
the human heart


and to compassion.

Athena's Laurel Calls My Journeyed Soul (New Poem)

Athena's Laurel Calls My Journeyed Soul
by Tim Kavi

oh I didn't know you were close to me
I thought it was just the stardust
or the whispering sea
I can see you still talk to me

across the history
glimpsing you
I thought I saw
a memory

there is only
the laurel leaves
scattered by the wind
where Owl watches over me

that is where the gentle
sounds of our love misgiven
led to bad steps
and misplaced heaven
the day the winged bird
took you away from me

I began the mountainous climb
a journey to the sacred heart
longing left me famished
my song carried no more rhyme

spirits were broken
the people were wandering
in the valley below
the shepherds were themselves lost
the leaders blinded by the dark
and the prisoners remained chained
against the rock

only the annointed ones
dare come up here
olive oil burns not only the lamp
but annoints my forehead

I cry out like a madman
there is no one to hear me
it echoes against the rocks
where lumber is free
from too many shipwrecks
skeletal hands clutching for
your Grecian shore

I try to find you
but in the darkness
you are not found anymore

what greatness is this?
your temples once majestic
lined a path upwards
up high to a cloudy
celestial throne
where once you blew me a kiss!

How did I know that kiss
was a good bye kiss
to me and the world?

now there is only ruin
return to Your Greatness
perhaps men will yet invoke
your name
rebuilding temples won't be the same

but there is still power
in the virtues
of your name

oh a calling
a certain shrill
breaks the night
and my stubborn will

I will climb up higher
I will look for you
and I will kiss you again
and again

can you imagine
how much I missed you?
your glory as a woman
is everywhere
yet the priests stop and stare
but in your Goddess face
is only the visitations
of everlasting grace

your look is on them too
that woman just killed
the male shame
of violence
makes me want to jump
off this hill

hear the words
priests too
the hour is late
there is much to do
respect Athena
and all her sisters
or tales of woe
will never be few

I will burn my skin
and twist my robe
pluck hairs from my head
pray pray pray
until the truth be said

stop my sisters'
blood running red!
Athena has now said!

so here I sit all night
your tears watered
pools at my feet
I can only bow my head and worship
Goddess come back
we are so sorry that some have hurt you

wear your laurel wreath again
entreaty forgive our sin
you think you bad ones can easily make right
but your weapons
and hate
and violence
must go away...

for Athena comes
in sacred flight.

My Short Story 'American Crow' is Published

My Short Story: American Crow has been published by TiLu Press and is available for Kindle and Kindle apps by clicking on the link below.

I hope you enjoy this story, that I enjoyed writing and getting ready for you. I think it is an interesting 'Fairy Tale of Urban Decay' that describes events that transpire when two older men encounter two young thugs on a repeated basis. Among the mayhem and Chaos, BillyBob, a seemingly omniscient black crow looks upon the events with great interest. The result is a song of redemption that only he can sing!

Click here to support my work, and enjoy the story  !

Healing Rain (New Poem)

Healing Rain

by Tim Kavi

gentle woman

I see you sleeping

see you twist there

for you awaken many times

writhing in pain

your scars

are kissed by me every day

and your aches soothed

by my love

yet I line up your medicines

hold your hand gently

help your labored breaths

inject your pain meds

apply a wet rag to your hurting face

I pray and pray

and love you so deeply

as we sing together softly

and hold each other in love

I feel the teardrops falling

and I see they

have become a healing rain.

More About Goddesses: Kwan Yin--The Compassionate Goddess (Essay)

The Goddess Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion

by Tim Kavi

 

With her origins still being debated over, we can at least attest that Kwan means to inquire deeply and that Yin means to cry. This goddess is shown in many forms, but they all show her unique compassion and mercy. Many times you can see Kwan Yin as a slender woman in flowing white robes carrying a white lotus in her left hand which is a representation of purity and the ideal of womanhood. She might also be seen wearing ornaments to show her stature, or without them to show how modest she is.

Kwan Yin is also known as a “bringer of children”. Because of this, many images of her can be seen in homes and temples. In these instances, a large white veil will be covering her whole body and she could be seated on a lotus, rather than carrying one. Instead, a child will be in her arms, or the child will be seated near her. Sometimes you can see her with several children at once, which she is then known to be the “white-robed honored one”.

 Many times you will see Kwan Yin with several hands, heads and eyes, plus a thousand arms. In the palms of each of her hands there will sometimes be an eye. This symbolizes her as the omnipresent “Divine Mother” being able to see in all directions at once and therefore all the problems of humanity. In this image she reaches out to everyone with her extreme compassion and mercy to help console all. Her name is also spelled Quan Yin, or Kuan Yin, and some scholars say that she is foreshadowed by, or is identical to an earlier deity named Avalokitasvara.

Romantic Swoons (New Poem)

Romantic Swoons
by Tim Kavi

breathless
no strength to tarry
in my wait for you
I soon realized
your love had invaded
my heart
As I reached the top of the hill

You were there
coaching me
soothing me
of all my hurts and fears

how could I not call to you?
calling out many years

lonely seeking nights
and finding you
in the days of your love?

until a great
and mighty wave
of love made our love

collapsed our love
into one expression

days and nights
you and me
until quietly
there was only
a lasting hug

wherever I went
alive in your eyes

I saw you standing there

goddess revealed

as sure as Kwan Yin
compassionate arms reaching
speaking breeching seeking

breaking
rendering in two
all the cultural walls within

until it was only Our love
that mysteries
held in swoon

brought forth fruit
and found only to
be ever present all the time
never missing really
never empty
never rendered

to see it and know
only it has ultimately mattered.