Thursday, August 2, 2012

Rakhi

When a silk tread wraps around the moon
sibling love is bound in bandhan
shedding warmth in a lunar breeze
as the air fills with sugar and swoon

Sibling love, bound in bandhan
entwined silk, golden treads adorned by beads
as the air fills with sugar and swoon
their bond growing like weeds

Entwined silk, golden treads adorned by beads
tied to the hands of their brothers
their bond growing like weeds
the height of affection flatters

Tied to the hands of their brothers
shedding warmth in a lunar breeze
the height of affection flatters
silk treads wrap around the moon


Today is the celebration of Raksha Bandhan, falling on the full moon, in the Hindu calendar. This is when a sister denotes her devotion to her brother, who in turn vows to hold her in his protection for a lifetime long. Happy Brother's Day!
Shared at dVerse Poets, thank you Samuel for this challenge in pantoum. 

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Peace, Linda

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  2. What lovely sentiments you have expressed in this pantoum.

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  3. An important theme and cultural icon for this form to celebrate.

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  4. love the images here...a silk tread wrapped around the moon...the air filled with sugar and swoon.. love the cultural background you give us as well..sounds beautiful...Happy Brother's Day!

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  5. what a cool celebration...i wonder too if something like that would help over here to bring families closer together...i love the imagery in your verse....hope you enjoy the celebration...

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    1. If you mean the states, by 'here' that's where I am too. :) Plenty of wholesome stuff to do everywhere. We try to keep old-world traditions alive in our home. Thanks so much for the appreciation, Brian.

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  6. Lovely, mystical poem. I like the reinforcement of the bond between the brother and sister.

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    1. Yes, I like that it's acknowledged for a day. :) Thanks Frank!

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  7. This is awesome. Especially your footnote. Thank you for sharing this information. The poem is gorgeous. When I read the title, I thought of the art of Reiki healing, which my sister says I have the gift of (hand intuition). ;)

    "When a silk tread wraps around the moon" ... This makes me picture someone with feet made of silk dancing around the moon.

    "as the air fills with sugar and swoon" ... I'm crazy about this line. :)

    I agree with Brian. Traditions and ceremonies like this, if genuine and spiritual, might fuse connections.

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    1. Thanks, sweetie! What an awesome gift, Reiki hands...sweet little snippet of sisterhood, too. Rakhi is the silk or thread bracelet that the sister would tie around her brother's arm. Bandhan is the knot, signifying their bond. I enjoy knowing how you feel as you piece through it, Shawna. :)

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  8. I love learning and being entertained by great talent at the same time. Superb!

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  9. Lovely and meaningful poem...I like the tribute to the brother and sister bond ~

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  10. Such exotic images, but such a universal theme. Wrapped around each other and the pantoum form, it all combines into a pleasurable read.

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    1. Hi, thanks for the presentation, this was a really fun challenge. :)

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  11. What mystical calm is experienced when we read your words. We are privileged to share your life filled with love and caring.

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    1. Awww, thank you. You make the experience so much more personal and delightful. :)

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  12. Beautiful and so timely one....perfect...

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  13. silk threads and "their bond growing like weeds"

    from moon to garden, this bond has been blessed, and the repetitions in this form make this like a song with refrains the siblings could sing together.

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  14. Ah...a brother's day. Think I'll call mine and tell him about it. Thank you for the lovely poem.

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  15. I heard of this day last year, I think it is something that should be brought over here, could make people less on edge by giving them such a pledge

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    1. It has been brought 'here' and yes, a little promise to keep us a bit closer and less reason for treason and for plummeting over the edge.

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  16. what a wonderful holiday. and your ode to such love
    is beautiful.

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