Retreat Poems: Tara Mandala
(written over a ten-day retreat at the Luminous Peak Retreat Cabin)
April 2003
by Julia Lawless

Shadows of prayer flags
flutter on the wall:
My empty thoughts flicker...

I have been banished
from the land of my beloved.
Here, the blue mountains
hover in the distance.
The sun sinks majestically:
There is nothing to do.

The fluid limbs of Tara
melt into the landscape.
You would not notice
she is here.

She is invisible, except
her form is found
in every stone and leaf
and tree and birdsong
in the valley...

The mountain remains
in the centre.
A dusting of snow
adorns her bones.
Self-evident: Ekajati:
A single glance
can vaquish death.

Cradled in the arms of the Great Mother
What can I possibly fear?
She knows everything
and sees my heart as clearly
as the morning star at dawn.
Oh, great goddess
look upon me with kindness
and keep me safe
in your warm embrace.

Words spring from a hidden source
nowhere to be found
In this place beyond location
silence starts to speak...

In the evening's glow
the prayer flags rest
All five elements respect
a calm respite
from their passionate dance
with the winds of change.

Suddenly
the scent of incense
bursts upon me
like a door opening
into her fragrant temple.

 

 

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