The Heat of Midnight Tears

THE COFFER WITH THE POISONOUS SNAKE
—Mirabai

Rana sent a gold coffer of complicated ivory;
But inside a black and green asp was waiting,
“It is a necklace that belonged to a great Queen!”
I put it around my neck; it fit well.
It became a string of lovely pearls, each with a moon inside.
My room then was full of moonlight as if the full moon
Had found its way in through the open window.

_______________________

THE HEAT OF MIDNIGHT TEARS
—Mirabai

Listen, my friend, this road is the heart opening,
Kissing his feet, resistance broken, tears all night.

If we could reach the Lord through immersion in water,
I would have asked to be born a fish in this life.
If we could reach Him through nothing but berries and wild nuts
Then surely the saints would have been monkeys when they came from the womb!
If we could reach him by munching lettuce and dry leaves
Then the goats would surely get to the Holy One before us!

If the worship of stone statues could bring us all the way,
I would have adored a granite mountain years ago.

Mirabai says: The heat of midnight tears will bring you to God.

_______________________

—Medusa

Medusa encourages poets of all ilk and ages to send their poetry, photos and art, and announcements of Northern California poetry events to kathykieth@hotmail.com for posting on this daily Snake blog. Rights remain with the poets. Previously-published poems are okay for Medusa’s Kitchen, as long as you own the rights. (Please cite publication.)