This Poem was Submitted By: Regis L Chapman On Date: 2008-04-25 01:54:16 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!

Click Here To add this poem to your "Voting Possibilities" list!


The Leila Gita

"Come, Leila, fill the goblet up, Reach round the rosy wine, Think not that we will take the cup From any hand but thine. Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala Ya Shubra Vastravrita Ya Vina Varandanda Mandita Kara Ya Sveta Padmasana A draught like this 'twere vain to seek, No grape can such supply; It steals its tint from Leila's cheek, Its brightness from her eye. " Ya Brahmaachutya Shankara Prabhitibhih Devai Sada Pujita Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati Nissesha Jadyapaha a tiny drop of Soma drips down giving life again this day in liquid fire the nectar of prem profound igniting a divine day's desire yat pitam srutivan manobhir anisam trsnapradam tvadbhutam samsaramaya haryapi prana yajonmadandhya mohadikrt Leila, wings lift us from delusion and all arrows entire Garuda's embrace a shield from illusion and the world consuming fires sasvac carvitam eva bhuri rasadam dehadi hrt pustidam taj jiyad amrta sprha haram iddam govinda lilamrtam Leila, one with a blue bauble thing spinning daily 'round on a silver string the tease, the teacher a precious marble found devi devi devi jagat mohini devi devi devi jagat mohini chandrika devi chanda munda harini chamundeshwari ambike devi Leila, to some means night I close my eyes and pray in silence I see, in silence I right the longing I visit upon my day Om Shantih Shantih Shantih Om Peace Peace Peace Leila, so they say that and more not said in this cosmic play the Akasha, plainly read sri krishna govinda hare murare we sang in the bright night that echoed our days Leila, so soon a moon smiling slow, so to light and clear her way to know the inside of you bhajo radhe krishna bhajo radhe shyama bhaja radhe krishna bhajo radhe shyma Leila, in the sun so dear to the wider heart and the one so far and near looks upon her as art krishna govinda govinda gopala krishna govinda govinda gopala krishna murare manohara ananda lala Leila, the heavens, galaxies, gravity and time rotate so sweetly toward this heart of thine moving inward slowly with the unfolding shrine given to us all the gift that none can call 'mine' he radhe radhe radhe shyam govinda radhe sri radhe! he radhe radhe radhe shyam govinda radhe sri radhe! Leila, together as we across space forever found in ahh's and om's the silent smile on our face and felt in blood boiling bones govinda radhe radhe shyam gopala radhe radhe shyam! govinda radhe radhe shyam gopala radhe radhe shyam! Leila, comedy echoed across a mountainous stage pratfalls fell at the feet of the temple guardians tragedy flowing across the fountained page read where we all meet with templed hands he radhe radhe radhe shyam govinda radhe sri radhe! he radhe radhe radhe shyam govinda radhe sri radhe! Leila, the name of the divine is not merely heard Krishna, Rama and Durga Ma just a few a voice like the morning flight of yonder bird at the dawn of each remembered day anew Vamshee vibhooshita karaan navaneeradaabhaat Peetaambaraadaruna bimbaphalaa dharoshthaat; Poornendusundara mukhaad aravinda netraat Krishnaat param kimapi tattwam aham na jaane. Leila, her name Leila, I say, again- and again Leila, what you cannot hear now the sounds of the ten thousand loud of the blessed Gods and dead proud Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha paahimaam Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha rakshamaam Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati paahimaam Sri Saraswati Sri Saraswati Sri Saraswati rakshamaam Saravanabhava Saravanabhava Saravanabhava paahimaam Subramanya Subramanya Subramanya rakshamaam  who stand resolute now among me and sing in my mind of the song in all their own hearts and the joy they see and say in praise, a concerto in the grandest hall Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnameva Vashishate Leila, to these souls I add my name together, but this voice say it aloud and to these arms you came reaching to wipe your tears and brow oṃ bhÅ«r bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhÄ«mahi dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt  Leila, The Divine Mother does bless and is pleased  by those who live time out of mind in silent devotion released sight and sound merge into Now Sat Chit Ananda to know such a woman timeless with hair as dark as the peace behind my wide eyes a silent motion has carried me, beyond how beyond illusion, confusion and lies beyond yantra and mantra into tantra the source sure of course the means Leila the silent intention a subtle flute mention the end pure Leila om

Copyright © April 2008 Regis L Chapman

Additional Notes:
This is a huge emotional poem written for my girlfriend Leila. Having just left living in a traditional ashram I learned a lot of chants and she's also learning them, even though she's half-Indian, she's not familiar with many of the chants I know. The words should not be thought of as translations of the Hindu chants. It's an overture to the immortal inside of her and the divine gift I feel she is in my life. Being so big and so emotional for me to write, I am looking for some ideas and critiques about this poem I can revise it before I give it to her in the middle of May in printed form. Thanks in advance. Sorry if the chants make it a bit encrypted to read. REEG!


This Poem was Critiqued By: Marcus J On Date: 2008-05-07 21:33:11
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.61538
Okay Regis, here comes the apology. I know very few Bhajan words outside the “Airport Noises” once often heard while standing in the ticket line years ago. No doubt there is great deal of Hindu overtones throughout this lengthy piece. I express profound ignorance in this belief as well. I seem to recall that Gita refers to a song of deities of sorts, thus the chanting stanzas. And now I scroll down to the additional notes and read that I’m half right – sort of. I can speak for the English text and tell you that it flows well. The mention of wine stealing “its tint from Lelia’s cheek” is the personification of love; furthermore, stealing its brightness from her eye is true love. And still, I can’t help but sense a forbidden love, perhaps I’m wanting to equate Lelia with Lolita. Remember Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita? Another emotional encounter, albeit taboo. On second thought, you’re probably too young. I look forward to more of your work. Be sure to include additional notes if you’re chanting :) Mark M


This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2008-05-03 14:01:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.70000
Well my friend, this certainly comes from deep within your heart and is filled with so much emotion that one could not ignore the depth of it from your soul to her soul. Indeed it is big and would be hard for someone like me to try and suggest any cuts since you are the author and the one with such great emotion. I am pleased to have read it and I am certain your lady will be thrilled to receive it. Take good care, God Bless, Claire
Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

Click HERE to return to ThePoeticLink.com Database Page!