Hindu Poetry: "The Festival of Lights" by Elizabeth Barrette

[ysabetwordsmith]

Hinduism meshes pretty well with Paganism, both being polytheistic systems. There are some of the deities I really like. I've written a handful of Hindu-flavored poems over the years. This one features a festival, Divali; and the masnavi form.

The Festival of Lights
– a masnavi
by Elizabeth Barrette

On Danteras, Hindus shop for gold
To praise Lakshmi and her wealth untold.

Choti Divali is small and sweet;
Rice powder draws the goddess’s feet.

Lakshmi-Puja is the moon-dark night,
Welcoming Lakshmi with candle light.

For Annakoot, one hundred and eight
Types of food are laid on Krishna’s plate.

On Bhai Duj, each sister makes her mark,
Keeping her brothers safe from the dark.

Comments

[bookblather]

A traditional poem structure for a traditional topic; it really brings out the rooted strength of the whole thing. Nicely done.

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

I enjoy tracking down poetic forms that are unique to a given culture, when I'm writing about something from there. I find that the structure helps hold the ideas together.