Ivan M. Granger - Thief of hearts
Ivan M. Granger November 6th, 2009
Thief of hearts
by Ivan M. Granger
Thief of hearts,
you have ransacked
this beggar’s hut,
left me
nothing.
All I see
now
is the print
of your pilfering hand
everywhere.
/ Photo by notsogoodphotography /
As I’m getting back into the rhythm of the Poetry Chaikhana, I thought I’d take this opportunity to highlight one of my own poems. For a poem about thievery, I hope it gives you something special today…
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The “thief of hearts” is, of course, the Beloved, God.
Let’s face it, from the ego’s point-of-view, the relationship with the Divine is a problematic one. What the heart recognizes as liberation, the ego sees as theft. It’s really very funny… when we’re not tormented by the spiritual dilemma, that is.
All that the ego claims as its own slips from its grip. Control and possession define the ego. So what is it to do when the master thief breaks into the awareness and reveals everything to be the filmy stuff of dreams and light?
In that ultimate moment, however, the emerging bliss is so all-pervasive that even the drowning ego laughs with its last gasp.
Something I thought I’d point out about the poem’s structure: The poem itself is a pair of thieving hands. It has two groups of five lines, suggesting two hands with five fingers each.
Also, notice that the lines “left me / nothing” are intentionally ambiguous. They could be saying that the thief of hearts has left me with nothing — having taken everything — or perhaps it is saying the thief has left me as nothing — without identity or sense of ego.
The line breaks for “All I see / now” force the unconscious mind to read several layers of meaning into the lines. Some part of the awareness will read that first line as a complete statement of its own: “I see all.” To follow with the single word “now” snaps the awareness into the present moment. When one sees all, one is fully present, now. Or, when one sees, all is in the present moment.
Yet each thing of that “all” has lost its ‘thingness.’ The “pilfering hand” has taken away the world normally perceived as a scattered collection of disconnected people and objects.
…But — and here’s another secret — that pilfering hand secretly gives as it takes. The “print” of that hand leaves us, instead, with a magical universe filled with immensity and life and a giddy sense of being that flows everywhere.
===
Too much explanation? Maybe we should just let the poem itself do its work… 
Have a wonderful weekend!
|
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.”
Ivan M. Granger is the creator and webmaster of the Poetry Chaikhana website.
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Your poem is beautiful. It says much with few words, and actually doesn’t need a commentary. The clarity of its message is self-evident.
In appreciation,
Rita
I love the simlicity of this poem. And I adored the discussion of it. I love having a poem dissected in this manner - it opens me to new perspectives, even (maybe especially) in a work simple and short.
This space feeds my soul. Thank you.
no ivan, NOT “too much commentary”… i’m not a poet so I don’t ‘get’ the subtle stuff without the prompts — but having read what you wrote, the poem opens up into those spaces that I DO know about, those dilemmas of the heart. p.s. also appreciated the photo of you! –sara
Your poem becomes even more meaningful for me as I read the commentary and I’m grateful you include it. The ego’s loss is the spirits gain and I might not have absorbed that without your help.
I’m so grateful for this website and your posts.
Gerry
You will have to let go, narinder,
Let go of everything you
hold dear,
Let go of every possession, every joy, every thought
And in return
I will not give you anything.
Understand this narinder,
Understand once and for all,
That nothing you will get in return from me,
When you open your fist and Let Go.
And this Nothingness too,
You will have to let go
Lest it becomes your clinging !
Thank you Krishna
Beloved Krishna !
Who can ever let go ……
Let go everything , and receive nothing in return !
You are false - - - You speak falsely Krishna
For, I have let go - - -
And, You have filled me
With the ever expanding joy of Gratitude,
Which is itself Love and Loving
One-ness.
One-ness, the Gift you bestowed, when I let go the Nothingness.
Nothingness that You gifted, when I let go
I let go everything !
That too was your Gift.
Yours.
All Gifts were yours
The clinging was yours,
So too the letting go.
Oh, How was I so blind for aeons and aeons !
O Krishna !
O Krishna !
aum
narinder
Thank you , Ivan. Just right for today….beautifully said.
Gratefully, Patricia
hi ivan,your poem is full of feelings,comes from god and theirs resident is a peaceful heart.
Thank you for the poem and commentary, which opens up dimensions a reader could have missed…I always love to read your commentaries because there is a new perpective each time.
Thank you , Ivan. Another apt way to try and put the Truth in a material perspective.
Ivan, the poem is a beauty… an ocean in a pitcher.
Thanks for sharing. I’m thinking of translating it into Hindi shortly, if you kindly allow.
Warm regards,
Sunil.
…
like always a great poem. this poem is going to help me in life.
I enjoyed reading this revealing poem, it’s very simplisicity was so revealing. The rhythm seemed to be set to the motions of Mother Earth. Your explanation helped me go deeper into the true meanings here within these lines. Remarkable thoughts.
This poem is a brilliant example of how man observing his own self recognises god
and his place in the outer world. Please keep on your excellent work of meaningfull poems like this one.
Ah the poet himself in the light today.
as well as for your
Thank you dear Ivan for this five by five
commentary.
I shall be thinking of this as I rake leaves feeling blessed
by the world and your resonant words. Samm
Love to see a poet explain his own work… loved the poem too. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your commentary on this poem. As a Christian I understand there will be differences in reading a spiritual poem. I appreciate you drawing out the underlying meanings so that I can relate my own understanding and perspective of God in the poet’s words.
Great poem Ivan! You’re awesome!