Like Audubon today
I took my gun
And shot this free bird
Of a Kabir poem.
As I put the final
Touches to the copper
Architecture Of the song,
a truly novel species.
Shiv is now tickled
That now through
his ruthless murder
The song will never die.
The awesome thing about Billy Collins' poetry is that I can enjoy the lesson of gratefulness with my 9 year old. Here is a poem where the tortoise loses the race to the hare. Or does he? He becomes the hero for taking the time to nibble some sweet grass or smell a wildflower.
Just as the hare is zipping across the finish line
the tortoise has stopped once again
by the roadside,
this time to stick out his neck
and nibble a bit of sweet grass,
unlike the previous time
when he was distracted
by a bee humming in the heart of a wildflower.
This poem obviously refers to the Aesop's tale, The Hare and the Tortoise:
The Hare & the Tortoise
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
The race is not always to the swift.
The following is a beautiful contemplation written by my friend and poet Jessica Kristie (http://jessicakristie.com/2013/01/blessings-jar/):
In the face of building odds, where does one find courage? Strength can be a fading mistress when struggles arise. Periods in ones life that bring challenges tend to also force out the ugly. Knee-jerk reactions take precedence and isolation rears its ugly head. Everyone handles pain differently and some prefer to take a backseat. But how can we stay focused on the good things when everything is shifting and even crumbling around us?
For me, 2013 came with a force, but I was ready. I haven’t mastered the swells yet, but I’m happy to say that I’m still in the boat.
I want to share one of my personal secret weapons with you… my blessings jar. The only resolution I made for the new year was to count my blessings, literally.
When facing difficult circumstances, and we take a moment to find the blessings that still fill our world, the journey can feel more precious and with purpose. It has been a great way to force positive moments even in the darkest times.
It’s not too late to start your own blessings jar. Take any old jar and every time you feel blessed write it down and put it in the jar. On new year’s eve, read all your blessings and take joy in the wonderful year you had. The truth of the past gets put in a much more positive perspective.
Karam ki gati nyaari - Meerabai
In this poem (pg 150 of the Guru Granth Sahib) Guru Nanak explains how he came to sing:
Hau dhadhi vekaar kaarey laayaa
I was a minstrel, out of work, when the Lord took me into His service.
My Lord and Master summoned me to the True Mansion of His Presence.
He has dressed me in the robes of His True Praise and Glory.
He asked me To sing His Praises day and night
The Ambrosial Nectar of the True Name has become my food.
Consuming the Guru's Teachings, I am satisfied and have found peace.
His minstrel spreads His Glory, singing and vibrating the Word of His Shabad.
O Nanak, praising the True Lord, I have obtained His Perfection. ||27||Sudh||
Translation of
"Nindau nindau mo ko log nindau"
Also Nindo Nindo Mo Ko Log Nindo
More Shabads on Slander
Slander me, slander me - go ahead, people, and slander me.
Slander is pleasing to Kabir.
Slander father, slander mother!
Slandered, I go to heaven;
I remember the truth.
Slander makes my heart pure,
Slander. washes my clothes. ||1||
One who slanders me is my friend;
the slanderer is in my thoughts.
The slanderer is the one who prevents me from being slandered.
The slanderer wishes me long life. ||2||
I have love and affection for the slanderer.
Slander is my salvation.
Slander is the best thing for servant Kabeer.
The slanderer is drowned, while I am carried across. ||3||20||71||
Fareed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully.
While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces on it.
When the Hawk attacks, playful sport is forgotten.
God does what is not expected or even considered. ||99||
Singing oneness!
