Never curse the winter,
for the snow-covered paths,
give you a chance
to walk slowly,
marking each milestone
and reminding you
how far you have come.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
Evening Snow (東海道五十三次之内 蒲原 夜の雪) by Utagawa Hiroshige Image from The Met Museum Public Domain Collection
Snow falling wildly
Arctic winds tease fallen leaves
Winter chases fall.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
Do you hear the rain
see the rain it falling like teardrops?
I cry out in pain,
I know it’s Mother Earth’s sorrow I feel.
I look around
searching for answers
But none have I found.
What makes us as humans destroy?
When we were given the precious
gift of life?
How can we have peace,
when all we do is fight?
How can we sit by
and listen to children cry?
How can we stand still
and watch mankind die?
How can we sleep at night,
knowing the end is near?
We are a strong race,
but not without fear.
If you ask me,
I will tell you this ~~
To the Earth, to life
We are a spider’s kiss.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
AN: Reposting an old poem today because it just fit. Lately, I have been reading a lot about the Dakota Access Pipeline and Standing Rock. I wrote this poem back in 1995, in high school, and was struck by how little things have changed in the Environmental movement. Originally printed in my high school, Bloor Collegiate Institute, Annual Literature Magazine – Scribble, it remains one of my favourite poems. Also, the first poem I ever published and shared with others!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy. Photos below are from the magazine 🙂
Trees weave about me,
as if they hear a song
whispered in the wind.
Notes played,
words spoken,
rhythm shared
among the rustling leaves.
The river vibrates,
with the sound of
soft steps echoing
in the ripples of waves,
a measured base
to the cadence of the night.
I gaze up at mountains,
craved by the sighs and
breaths of God.
Deep within,
slumbering,
waiting,
caught in the
mystic embrace of
the song of the jungle.
I feel the earth move,
with each drowsy snore,
desires moving from
my feet to my lost heart,
reclaiming,
igniting,
setting free,
all the joyous intent
that is in me.
Open my arms wide,
spinning,
until the world around me
are rainbows in motion
dancing to the
beat of the jungle.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
AN: Inspired by my amazing friend, Art by Thiviyaa’s piece “Heartbeats in the Amazon”, who will be showing her work today, October 1,2016 at Nuit Blanche – a prestigious art event in Toronto that runs from sunset to sunrise. Her work will be on display at Red Head Gallery, info can be found below.
Very proud of her and all the work she has done. She continues to take the world by storm!!!
Heartbeats in the Amazon
My tongue tastes the cold,
shivering as wind brushes,
skin chasing the sun.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
Gift from the heavens
strokes of colour in grey skies
refractions of light
replace worries with wonder
awaken the child within.
© Manivillie Kanagasabapathy
AN: Lucky to have seen a rainbow today while driving home. Felt very blessed that I decided to try a new style, Tanka. Rainbows always make me feel special as if the world stops still and it is me and the miracle.
I don’t know a lot about Tanka poetry, came upon the style by accident and have been wanting to try it ever since. I hope you all like it, and the pivot sentence (3rd sentence) is correct. Tanka poems are not supposed to have titles unless it is a string but added it for my reference.
Any feedback is always welcome.
Thank you
