{"id":8141,"date":"2022-09-30T09:42:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T16:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.poetry-chaikhana.com\/blog\/?p=8141"},"modified":"2022-09-30T09:44:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T16:44:16","slug":"ivan-m-granger-trinket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.poetry-chaikhana.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/30\/ivan-m-granger-trinket\/","title":{"rendered":"Ivan M. Granger – Trinket"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trinket
\nby Ivan M. Granger<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mother,
\nyou are too practical,<\/p>\n

trying to put
\nthis odd lump
\nto good use.<\/p>\n

Melt me down.<\/p>\n

Make of me
\nsome golden trinket,
\nsome frivolous, bejeweled thing
\nto please
\nyour eye.<\/p>\n

Hang me
\nfrom your ear;
\nlet me rest
\nagainst the warm pulse
\nof your neck.<\/p>\n

Go ahead, Mother,
\nit is just you and I
\nbefore the mirror.
\nI won\u2019t tell
\nif you want to spin
\nand laugh
\nlike a girl
\nto see
\nthis bit of glitter
\nset off
\nyour smile.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a> \u2014 from Real Thirst: Poetry of the Spiritual Journey<\/a>, by Ivan M. Granger<\/font><\/p>\n


\/ Image by lois komolafe<\/a> \/<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n

It is the middle of Navratri for my Hindu friends, the nine nights of the Goddess. I thought of one of my own poems to the Divine Mother, Trinket.<\/p>\n

Jaya Jagadambe, he Ma Durga<\/i>
\nAll praise to the Cosmic Mother, Ma Durga!<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/p>\n

Along with all of the natural beauty of our new home here in Eugene, Oregon, we notice a significant homeless population for a relatively small city. Colorado had its homeless too, but in smaller numbers, and usually panhandling on street corners hoping for drivers to stop and stretch across the passenger seat to hand over a bill through the window. <\/p>\n

Here in Eugene, the homeless are more part of the city, more present and somehow more integrated with the city. We no longer notice someone through the windshield as we\u2019re driving by, deciding if we want to slow down and give a couple of dollars or continue on our way. In Eugene, we share the sidewalks, walking by each other downtown. Many have their regular spots, they have their place in the community, they are known, they are still people.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week we spoke with a neighbor who is getting rid of some items and she mentioned that she like to donate to individuals, when she can. She knew the name of a homeless person who regularly stands outside the local grocery store, so she took the items directly to him.<\/p>\n

We recently noticed an article in the local paper about a homeless man who had died and was much loved in the community for the music he used to play around downtown. An entire article about the passing of a homeless man who was still an important part of the community.<\/p>\n

I find that profoundly touching. <\/p>\n

Of course, my wife and I are having to recalibrate our comfort levels as well as learn to assess safety differently. Some of the people we encounter are clearly dealing with substance abuse issues. Some have obvious mental health issues (and with social programs having been slashed in this country for decades, often the street is the only place for them). Behaviors can be erratic, unpredictable. Some are people just struggling to regain a foothold in society. Some are carried by a threadbare high while seeking an ever lower bottom to hit.<\/p>\n

But they are us. Seeing them in and among the rhythms of this small city reminds me that, regardless of their struggles or rough appearance, they are our brothers and sisters. They are part of my community too.<\/p>\n

So how do we interact with these individuals? How do my wife and I judge safety walking through downtown? When do we make eye contact, maybe offer a friendly word, perhaps hand over a dollar, and when is it best to cross to the other side of the street and keep our distance? We\u2019re still figuring that out.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m curious what your thoughts and experiences are. What sort of charities do you give to that you think are doing good work with the complex issues of hunger and homelessness? And do you have special ways of interacting with the homeless? I know of one person who used to put together care packs of clean socks, toothbrushes, dry foods, miscellaneous necessities and just kept them with him to hand out. Have you come up with creative ideas to help or meaningful ways to connect?<\/p>\n

May the Mother\u2019s love connect us all and care for us all!<\/p>\n


\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a>Recommended Books: Ivan M. Granger<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n

\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Longing in Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World (A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology)<\/a><\/small><\/td>\nThis Dance of Bliss: Ecstatic Poetry from Around the World<\/a><\/small><\/td>\nReal Thirst: Poetry of the Spiritual Journey<\/a><\/small><\/td>\nFor Lovers of God Everywhere: Poems of the Christian Mystics<\/a><\/small><\/td>\nDiamond Cutters: Visionary Poets in America, Britain & Oceania<\/a><\/small><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
More Books >><\/a><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

<\/center>
\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\"Ivan<\/a>\n<\/td>\n\nIvan M. Granger<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

US (1969 \u2013 )
\nSecular or Eclectic<\/a><\/a>
\nYoga \/ Hindu<\/a> : Advaita \/ Non-Dualist<\/a><\/em>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

Ivan M. Granger is the founder and editor of the Poetry Chaikhana<\/i>, a publishing house and online resource for sacred poetry from around the world. He is the author of Real Thirst: Poetry of the Spiritual Journey<\/i>. He is also the editor of The Longing in Between: A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology<\/i> and This Dance of Bliss: Ecstatic Poetry from Around the World<\/i>. His poetry and translations have been included in several magazines and anthologies. <\/p>\n

Ivan grew up in Oregon and Southern California, and he has lived on the island of Maui and for many years in Colorado. He lives in Oregon with his wife, Michele.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoetry 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 drumbeats. Its images become the icons of the inner eye. Poetry is more than a description of the sacred experience; it carries the experience itself.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

==<\/p>\n

Poetry Chaikhana readers often ask me about myself. Who is the guy behind all those poetry emails? What drew you to sacred poetry? And just what does \u201cPoetry Chaikhana\u201d mean?<\/p>\n

As a way to answer some of those questions, I thought I\u2019d post an audio interview<\/a> I did a few years ago. I talk a little about myself, and a lot about poetry \u2014 the transformational power of poetry, the ways poetry naturally expresses the sacred experience, the non-dogmatic nature of poetry. And I read a few poems.<\/p>\n

Click to listen: Interview with Ivan M. Granger<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

==<\/p>\n

Email Ivan M. Granger<\/a><\/p>\n