Dec 29 2008
Ivan M. Granger – The Warbler Knows
The Warbler Knows
by Ivan M. Granger
The warbler knows
only dawn’s shaft
of light
on her breast.
Forgetting false future
suns, she sings
in no voice
but her own.
/ Photo by Taz-Voll /
Although snow is still on the ground here in Colorado, we’ve had a couple of days gentle sunshine, and it brought to mind tis poem I wrote a few years ago. I hope this short song summons a warm shaft of sunlight to you too…
—
Dawn is the flood of light that comes from the east which causes us to awaken. When we allow ourselves to become fully aware of this sacred state, we know nothing else, see nothing else; the spiritual dawn engulfs all, enlightening everything.
And we experience this state most strongly in the breast, a warming and radical opening and deep centering in the heart.
Utterly content in the eternal present, we forget the mind’s endless fantasies and fears about the future. All the future ever can be is an extension of the present, and it is here, now that we reside — always.
Recognizing this, we settle into silence, “no voice,” yet a song emerges from the stillness, nonetheless. The voice that sings is not the mind or the ego, but the presence quietly and eternally seated behind those fluctuating elements; it is the deeply familiar voice our true Self.
|
Ivan M. Granger
US (1969 – ) |
Ivan M. Granger grew up in Oregon and Southern California. He has also lived on the island of Maui. He now lives in Colorado with his wife, Michele.
When asked why he writes poetry, Ivan says, “Poetry has an immediate effect on the mind. The simple act of reading poetry alters thought patterns and the shuttle of the breath. Poetry induces trance. Its words are chant. Its rhythms are drum beats. Its images become the icons of the inner eye. Poetry is more than a description of the sacred experience; it carries the experience itself.”
He adds, “My poetry is not fixed. When I read my own poems, I say them aloud, I repeat random lines, change the words around. Sometimes I sing them or chant them. I play with these poems until my mind relaxes enough to let the sacred spark shine forth.”
If you’re interested in my thoughts on sacred poetry, how I ended up on this path, or if you’re just curious what my voice sounds like, you may want to listen to an interview I did with the Ecstatic Art & Theater Project.
Ecstatic Art & Theater Project
Audio Interview (20 min).
Ivan M. Granger is the creator and webmaster of the Poetry Chaikhana website.
More poetry by Ivan M. Granger
The Warbler Knows is precisely the poem I needed today. My adult children came from Melbourne to Aldinga Beach to spend Christmas with me this year and, although they were here only three days, I lost my sense of self under their need for an elderly mother! My children love me but do not understand that I still sing in a voice of my own! I hope I can say this, given that you Ivan are about the same age as they are
Speaking as a member of your children’s generation — I’m all for mothers of all ages maintaining their own voice. I certainly intend to keep my own voice! When I can’t age gracefully, I intend to age noisily
Ivan
I Ivan
I think in any situation of our lives, being ourselves are everything, helps us to overcome any obstacle.
Thank you for you, being you to us.
Paula
Here’s to always warbling as we please
Dear Ivan
Though London mornings are frosty, there has been sunshine too.
I am at the cross roads at the moment and have to make decisions about my life. Its been an intense time of inner turmoil, anticipation and worry too. The present life is wonderful and and the part in your poem that future is the extension of present, made me realise what i have now is involved in future and will hold on to that.
True self does need words to express, it can be seen in the eyes and the heart.
I do like poetry as it keeps me human to feel and not be afraid to express.
Thanks
Hi Ivan,
did you write this poem …. you, Ivan??? narinder felt that it was he , from whom each word did flow; so, too, each word of the commentary ……………
the silence of the self, it is, that has blossomed into the perennial song that the warbler sings ………….. the song that heralds the dawning of the Light that is NOW !
One-ness,
However loud it cries,
Will always remain,
It’s own self,
———-Silence.
Love,
However joyous the Union in two-ness,
Will always revel,
In it’s own Glory’
———–One-ness.
One-ness, Love, Silence,
Sing the song of love.
In silence, they sing
The song of Silence.
In One-ness, they sing
The song of One-ness.
One-ness, Love, Silence,
Are, were, and will always be,
The joy and expression,
Of the Divine,The One without the second
That Silence , that One-ness is you, Ivan………………………………………..
and,
The beauty of the words that the master shares
Is their ability
To lead some thirsting soul
Into wordlessness
Into awe
Into Wonder
That is Silence !
joy, joy, joy, Ivan……………… aum !
narinder