Poetry, the Light of the Soul. Tuesdays Inspiration 14, to the Poet Sankhajit Bhattacharjee
Manatita is an esteemed author living in London, UK. He writes spiritual books, flash fiction and esoteric poetry, his favourite genre.
Aphorisms of Sri Chinmoy
" Do not compare
If you want to be happy.
Do not blame
if you want to be happy." - Sri Chinmoy
"Of all the medicines
In the inner life,
A smile is by far the best medicine." - Sri Chinmoy
Reflections on Behaviour
Lipped eloquence speaks to the Heart, with
Loftiness sublime. Yet flames will only ascend
From the soul, to the extent that they’ve been kindled.
A bad phone and charger, are unlikely to
Be effective. The quality of light in a room,
Is dependent on the filament in the bulb.
I ask why a Commander-in-Chief is so
Obnoxious, but not why seventy million
People, are so receptive to ‘sick’ sentiments.
I go to the relatable to find solace. Yet
My own altar is full of shadows; not the
Church. The flight of melodious nightingales,
Has always been in the core of Being.
Listen to the Orchestra; to how the flute
Cascades its sweetness, to the charm and allure
Of the violin. The soft tenderness of the piano,
Blends well with the haunting beauty of the lute.
Have you ever heard a rose complain, when its
Sister jasmine, gives fragrances to the orchard?
Orchids whisper to the tulips of spring, even
As the bee’s hum to the pollen, that all … is well.
A soil devoid of nurture, is unlikely to bear good fruits;
Neither will a divided Kingdom, flourish with virtuous deeds.
For it pushes itself on a pendulum, swinging in opposite directions.
In its quest for meaning, each soul dances to its
Own symphonies. Some blend with kindred flowers,
While others waltz in Opera sonata. Many lack
Grace, though, yet it is Love that ultimately decides.
For Light and darkness, are naught but the Beloved’s tapestry
Of colours. I know I’m a puppet, and an Empress pulls my strings;
Yet I’m still tempted to say, that I have prepared my own passing.
Like actors in a play, I tell stories of a protagonist
Called Hope –a bird shaped by an Alchemist in dim-lit
Candles, struggling and striving, to find its way Home.
- Manatita, The Lantern Carrier. 12th January, 2021
An Orchestra well done, is like poetry in motion!
Poetry: The Light or Voice of The Soul
You ask: “What is the purpose of your poetry?”
I say that I reach out to humans, whispering
Sweet songs - like a symphony of starlings -
Proclaiming we’re diamond pearls of the eternal.
Our cages, Mother Cosmos: the non-sentient
Our friends, the lapis lazuli of the azure sky;
The indigo blue moon, kissing the winter-sweet
Clematis at nights, are all players, in this waltz of mirrors.
I say that we are all held in a web, spinning its
Own tapestry, roaming, like Perseus in his self-
Created labyrinth, trying to find our way out;
To seek for meaning in this grey mist of shadows.
For we are the sons and daughters of tomorrows
Sun, glowing with a thousand beams, yet to remove
The veil, casting aspersions on this peerless Jewel
Which we are –the song-bird of perennial Freedom.
Finally, I say that poetry is nothing but the Light
Or voice of each breath, expressing itself in boundless
Ways, revealing the rhythmic cadences of the Unknowable.
- Manatita, the Lantern Carrier. 7th January, 2021.
Flowers may be different, but are generally in harmony
Aphorisms of Sri Chinmoy
"When somebody makes a mistake,
Sympathise
And do not criticise." - Sri Chinmoy
"Do not complain, do not complain.
Life is not for complaining.
Life is only for
Accepting challenges." - Sri Chinmoy
Reflections of Behaviour
© 2021 manatita44
Comments
manatita44 (author) from london on January 13, 2021:
Thank you, thank you. Stay well and blessed, my Dear Rosina. Sukhran
Rosina S Khan on January 12, 2021:
Excellent poetry, Manatita. I really enjoyed reading these. Thanks for sharing.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Linda C, I'm feeling great, so I will give you the Philosophy in a nutshell. Yoga is the transformation of one's nature. This world exists to help you do just that ... it is a Divine game, but like your Biology Professor will hold you responsible for mistakes, so too, the Universe holds us all accountable. It is a personal journey. So like I say in my poem, the problem is not Trump but human Hearts. The spiritual way is to change within ... as we change, the world begins to change with us. Makes sense? Hence each scripture, both East and West, have 'recommendations. Ways to arrive at that process and the Messiahs are those who point the way. But the journey is a personal one and we are souis -- a spark of Spirit --the Absolute Source. You have not asked, true. I'm just feeling great and in a sharing mood for my friends. Hope you don't mind.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Great. Stay well!!
You are doing great, that's all that matters. Peace!
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on January 12, 2021:
Your poems are lovely, Manatita. I appreciate the ideas and the parts that make me think as well as the beautiful imagery.
Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on January 12, 2021:
Hmmm. I wonder who started that rumor? I can't remember the last time I was sick. I've just been crazy busy at work. Rest assured, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern all!
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Thank you, Peggy. Sweet!!
Stay safe and blessed, you and family in Houston. Glory be!
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on January 12, 2021:
Your poetry gives us hope that the light of the soul will persist despite the current darkness of events in our world today. Bless you!
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Ruby, my Sweet.
I feel incomplete unless I see you. Come more often and above all, stay safe and blessed. My Love and 'spiritual' hugs to you and your hubby. Dios le bendiga y acompanye. May our Lord bless and accompany you. Both!
Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on January 12, 2021:
Your words are especially warm and comforting today. We are living in dangerous times. Hopefully we shall overcome and be strong in love.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Thanks for the shout-out to Shauna here and thank you for your fine contribution to this article, Brenda. Appreciated!!
BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on January 12, 2021:
Manatita44,
Certainly Sankhajit will be honored by your poems today.
Your work is eloquent as usual.
Shauna...Manatita44 heard you were not well just like the rest of us...on someone else's comment on an article that person wrote.
I can't remember which one at the moment. Lol...my brain.
Shauna ...Glad you are doing fine.
Manatita44...thanks for sharing & have a great day.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Yes, there was some rumour. But you are well. Awesome! Stay safe and blessed. Be careful! We are in challenging times!
Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on January 12, 2021:
manatita, I don't know where you heard I'm not well. I'm absolutely fine. I've been very busy at work. Between that and the holidays, I've fallen far behind in my reading. That's why you haven't seen much of me.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Ah Jodah, thank you so much!!
Sharlene,
Thanks Sharlene. That's what I do as an aesthetic, ethereal and meta-physical or esoteric poet. Lots of creativity and originality using just few words: music, Light, dance, nature, beauty ... love.
Welcome here and kudos to you and your supreme talent. La Paz.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Namaste, my Charming Didi ji
Shukriya ... Dhanyavaad! You love Guru ji's words too, a blessing for me. Om Shanti!!
By golly, my Sweet Sha,
You're alive!! (Tease, tease) I heard that you were unwell and of course I had not seen you for a while.
So happy you love this extremely relatable piece. I will do it tonight.
For what its worth, I go to about 20 different UK based groups and some American. Yet in my debut feature, the Americans outnumbered us by far. Yet I dare say we are the land of poetry, barring Whitman, Dickinson, Emerson, Frost and a few more. Much Love dear. Stay well and blessed.
Sharlene Draft from Columbia, SC on January 12, 2021:
This is absolutely beautiful! I love it! These poems I can close my eyes and pain the picture. Lot of imagery. My imagination is going wild. Keep it up!
John Hansen from Queensland Australia on January 12, 2021:
It is always a blessing to read your poetry, manatita. Thank you.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Namaste, my Charming Didi ji
Shukriya ... Dhanyavaad! You love Guru ji's words too, a blessing for me. Om Shanti!!
Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on January 12, 2021:
manatita, this set of poems is timely and each is comforting in its own way. My favorite stanza comes from "Reflections On Behavior":
"Like actors in a play, I tell stories of a protagonist
Called Hope –a bird shaped by an Alchemist in dim-lit
Candles, struggling and striving, to find its way Home."
Thank you for this poetic hug. Something we all need.
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on January 12, 2021:
Wonderful weaving of words, and a pleasant read.
Inspirational quotes by Shri Chinmoy, and as always a nice tribute to Sankhajit Ji.
Thank you for sharing and good day to you.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
No Bill, not in part. But I suppose you could say not shining fully. But yes, not only me, we are all heavenly Lights. Some know and some don't, but we are all shining Jewels of the One. Merci Beacoup! Peace, Bro.
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Dee,
I love that! Such a beautiful comment!! Stay well and blessed.
Ann,
Yes. I'll read it tonight. I go to many online poetry performances and some up your area too, as well as international. Advantages of this 'challenge'.
A lovely thing to say. Yes, in so far as poetry expresses the moods of the soul ... the human condition, then yes, all should read this. One day, perhaps. Gratitude.
Pamela,
Yes, intended and the title says so in a subtle way. Glad you liked it --a very deliberate piece! Always a delight when people love my Guruji's quotes. I'm the ant and he is the mountain. Peace.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 12, 2021:
If poetry is the light of the soul, you are, at least in part, a reason for my soul being light. Thank you for that, my friend, and blessings to you always.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on January 12, 2021:
There is a great deal of wisdom in you beautiful poetry, Manatita. I enjoyed reading what you wrote and Sri Chinmoy's quotes. God bless.
Ann Carr from SW England on January 12, 2021:
Beautiful, especially the first one. Everyone in the world should read that!
Ann
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on January 12, 2021:
So beautiful! I love the different analogies in the first poem. So varied but all bear out the same truth. Viewing poetry as the light of each voice is as inspirational as it gets. Excellent!
manatita44 (author) from london on January 12, 2021:
Gratitude, Bro.
It is a dedication to you, but I was still working on it. Come again! Om Shanti!
Sankhajit Bhattacharjee from MILWAUKEE on January 12, 2021:
a heart touching peace ... Sri Chinmoy
