From glory to Glory (New Poem)

"Lady of the Sea" artwork by Jonathon Earl Bowser

From glory to Glory

by Tim Kavi

there is only

the calling that is

that arises

as sure as any dawning

certain in the uncertainty

that any hope

of tomorrow always brings

the promise of an appearing

to live again!

a stream is ongoing

You cannot step into the same river

twice; Heraclitus said

well spoken

to remember; I am not the same

the river has a name

but it is not the same river

never give up hope

in the wading to a deeper place

in the swimming in a deeper love

in a kiss from galactic orbs

of being

enter the stream

cross the stream

bridge it in Divine love

walk on water in human love

the stream where the bowl

swirls backwards

showing proof of that which is

manifested

in the bridge

of person to person

to the waters of healing

to the tears that feed the stream

to the stream that becomes

a river of self acceptance

self love transcended then to Other love

the basic walk of toddlers

in a mature universe taught by love

until riding the waves

goes to the stream

babies to the river

we are baptized

so that love

teaches it 

becomes an ocean

where we never lose who we are

for who I am is a who WE are

swim on

walk to the side

make way for the journeying

break it up

turn again; find anew

when you come again to the banks

of existing

hope; a reflection in the water

Goddess we are seeing Saraswati

in the water

Shekinah glory

led from glory to glory

the Other side of your godly form

I no longer see my masculine face

washed in your water

I cannot stand in Your temple

I no longer see war and hate

it morphs again

and again

I look again my aged masculine face

renewed by your love

in your Youth I am cleansed

the stream is calling entry

the river is flowing

the ocean nearly overcomes

therein the waters of existence

Shekinah, I am brought 

guided again, to your dove like love

even to Your Goddess face.

More About Goddesses: The Greek Goddess Hera

More about Goddesses: The Greek Goddess Hera

by Tim Kavi

Hera acts as the reigning queen of the gods in Greek mythology due to her role as Zeus’s wife. (Her counterpart is the Roman Goddess Juno). Hera also acts as the goddess of marriage and childbirth. Because Zeus is also the god of philanderers, their natures would frequently clash. This has led to Hera being depicted as a quarrelsome and jealous goddess that can be a force to be reckoned with. In spite of her place as Zeus’s bride, the worship of Hera is actually much older than that of her husband, stemming back to the days when the Greeks believed that any single entity associated with divinity must take the form of a woman. Her role is believed to have changed when the male’s role in procreation became more understood, leading to Hera’s worship as a mother figure rather than an all-encompassing deity.

Much of Hera’s jealousy was directed toward women that Zeus seduced or had affairs with, though one of the most common legends associated with Hera is her jealousy toward the hero Hercules. This jealousy stemmed from the fact that Zeus fathered Hercules with the mortal Alcmene, a mortal. Hera went as far as to send snakes to kill Hercules when he was a baby. She also stirred the Amazons against him while he was on a quest.

Another famous legend associated with Hera has to do with the judgment of Paris. At the wedding between Peleus and Thetis (the later parents of Achilles) many gods and goddesses were invited to the ceremony. Eris, the goddess of discord, threw a golden apple among some of the goddesses, and only the fairest was to own the apple. Since Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite claimed to be the most beautiful goddess, a decision had to be made as to which goddess should own the apple. The goddesses brought the question before Zeus, but Zeus was wise enough to leave the choice of who was the most beautiful up to Paris, a Trojan prince. So the three Goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite came before Paris, but he could not decide. Finally, each of them offered Paris a gift to try to persuade him. It is said that Athena offered him great fame and glory in battle, Hera offered him control over all of Asia and Europe, and Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful mortal woman in the world. Because of this he chose Aphrodite, which absolutely enraged the other two goddesses, especially Hera. Of course, the most beautiful woman in the world at that time was Helen of Troy who was already married to the King of Sparta. So after the abduction of Helen by Paris, there was a great war (partially stirred up by the jealous goddesses); and this was called the Trojan war.

There is some debate surrounding Hera’s familial roles. Some origin stories depict Hera’s parents as the Titans Rhea and Cronos, making her Zeus’s sister. Given these close family ties, there is some debate on whether or not Zeus and Hera produced children together. Hera is known as the lone parent of Hephaestus. Ares and Hebe are often depicted as the children of Zeus and Hera, but in some traditions Ares is seen to have been conceived from a flower in the field of Olenus and Hebe fathered by a lettuce. These tales may have been invented to avoid adding scandal to Hera’s myth.

In any regard, the Greek goddess Hera is a major part of goddess mythologies and motifs. She is not only a fierce mother image, but also that of the fierce, powerful wife, and symbolizes both a wifely devotion towards her husband, and respect for the protection of marriage.

There is Mom (Poem)

There is Mom

by Tim Kavi

so what is this?

across the translucent orb

endless universe so vast

that God in his designs

would seek to make perfect

for sure to last?

but the need for what was created

man or woman

to never be alone?

but the sacredness

of family

of love

and of home?

and in that home

stands a sacred one

sure and true

the fortress of Mom

which every kid

growing up, knew

is true blue

in all she said

and did

until around

every troubled bend

twisted by life's

troubles

and uncertain wind?

there is the love

of God

and the love of Mom

gently guiding

assisting in fate

but always loving

there is Mom

there is Mom.

Poet's Brief Afterword:  Dedicated to all the moms out there.  Happy Mother's Day!  Words (even from poets) cannot describe what is meant by the word and love of 'Mother'! It is no wonder that some of the most nurturing goddess archetypes are of the Great Mother, or mother Goddesses.  But who influenced who? Indeed!  Both influenced each other.  Read about my own dream about a Benevolent Mother encounter with Ma Durga--who was seeking me and loving me even as I was trying to hide ! (Click Here for that Account). The poem here, 'There is Mom" is also a poem about my own Mom,  and was read by me as a memorial tribute to her in 2010.~~TK

Vows (new poem)

Sarasvati aka Saraswati & Benzaiten

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

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.

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

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.