This week in Poetics over at the dVerse Poets Pub, we are asked by our genial host Laura to step away from all that is distracting us, all that is bringing us down and be inspired by the poets whose thoughts turn to the mystical or spiritual. This is to mark Bhodi Day (8th December), when Siddharta Gautama achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.
Please do hop over to dVerse, read the contributions and why not take part yourself?
Here is my offering, inspired by the line below:
My heart was split, and a flower appeared (Solomon)
I count them, not to accumulate the seeded wealth
but to honour your blessings, your beauty within.
For your lips are like the crimson thread
that connects each ruby-polished pearl nestled within
and I kiss them in awe, in delight, oh, in reverence.
My mouth lovingly caresses your shimmering jewels,
hesitant – and yet, and yet
I may not refrain from the glories within.
I am entranced by you, your eyes, your brow, your radiant skin,
your covering cannot shroud you, cannot conceal you from my gaze
I have split you open and your beauty is mine.
613 – I count them.
They are yours – and maybe, one day, mine.
This poem is also inspired by an extract from Song of Songs, which is also known as the Song of Solomon. In Jewish tradition, pomegranates are seen as a symbol of fertility and love (“Your lips are like a crimson thread; your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil [gleams] like a pomegranate split open”). They are also associated with the 613 mitzvot (commandments), because they are said to have 613 seeds (in reality they don’t, sadly!).
Freya Writes... 
Truly Lovely
Just Beautiful
To View Thank You🎹
Thank you!
😁☺️
Well said. Why should there not be reverence of bounty? And what could be more bountiful than a pomegranate?
Thank you! And I agree, such a bountiful fruit!
This is very engaging Freya I enjoyed reading it very much well written.
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Wow! Amazing approach to the prompt! Bravo!
Thank you!
I really liked how you continued in the vein of Solomon with the pomegranate and all it symbolises in Jewish tradition- these lines especially resonated for me
“and yet, and yet
I may not refrain from the glories within.”
thank you for joining the prompt
Thank you Laura, I really enjoyed taking part.
I did get the Song of Solomon vibe here in your words, such reverence and mysticism, and I appreciated the history of the number 613! Esoteric numerology has always fascinated me in the scriptures and all ancient texts. A great read! 💖
Thank you, Tricia, I’m glad the vibe made it through. I too enjoy neurology and Judaism is full of it.
“For your lips are like the crimson thread that connects each ruby-polished pearl nestled within,”.. 😀 this is gorgeous!!!
Thank you!
A wonderful love song. I can feel the passion. (K)
Thank you!
What a delightful blend of prompt, mysticism and your own traditions, lovely and sensual
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
i did indeed!
A lovely poem!
Thank you!
Very beautiful!
Thank you!
I love how you brought it forward into the pomegranate image
Thank you, Björn!
your covering cannot shroud you,
cannot conceal you from my gaze
I have split you open and your beauty is mine.
It is such a joy to split it open to see the seeds hugging together loving each other. Your poem said it all beautifully Freya!
Hank
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the process notes. I loved learning something new. Lovely poem
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it and learned something new.
This is an amazing tribute to the special day and I am enchanted with the offering of your poem. The acknowledgement is lovely here:
I have split you open and your beauty is mine.
Good to read you.
Thank you very much Grace – I’m not sure I’ve ever enchanted anyone before!
There is a delightful sensuality in your poem, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you Helen. And I’m pleased you enjoyed it. I used to write a lot of poetry a few years ago and it’s something I want to revisit, as I enjoy it so much.
You do that line justice, Freya. I like where you took it. I appreciate learning the context of the starting line and the references you have in your poem.
Thank you very much! And I’m glad you enjoyed learning the context too.
You’re welcome 🙂