Ivan M. Granger: Holy Ground

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Holy Ground

Ivan M. Granger, Ivan M. Granger poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry, poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, Yoga / Hindu poetry

by Ivan M. Granger
(1969 - ) Timeline

Original Language
English

Secular or Eclectic

Yoga / Hindu : Advaita / Non-Dualist

Contemporary

Let the vision
of the vastness
you are
leave you
in glorious
ruins.

Pilgrims will come
to imagine
the grand temple
that once stood,
not realizing

          the wreck
          made this empty plain
          holy ground.

2002

/ Photo by Mendhak /

Recommended Books

	For Lovers of God Everywhere: Poems of the Christian Mystics, by Roger Housden
	Poems of Awakening: An International Anthology of Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Betsy Small

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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Rather that bury this brief poem with lots of commentary, I thought I'd plant a few questions instead:

- Who or what is really left in ruins?

- Why are those ruins "glorious"?

- Why an "empty plain"? What is it that is empty?

- Most importantly, why is it that the ruins, the "wreck," make this holy ground, rather than some "grand temple"?

I wouldn't spend much time trying to answer these questions intellectually. Just let the questions simmer, and see what sort of answers naturally bubble up to the surface.

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World