The Shared Mirror

P. Dayanandan

(Glory lily (Gloriosa superba) also known as the Flame Lily is the State flower of Tamil Nadu and National flower of Zimbabwe. It started blooming at our house in March 2014)

~

Earth trembles, sky thunders like the parai drum

Heavens open up, pouring un-polluting waters

Mingled with red earth, flowing like blood on the cross

Give me the chalice, Give me life!

It blooms as thunder lilies, Easter lilies, Valley lilies,

Flame lilies

See the glory in the lily?

True Life never dies!

~

Dr. P. Dayanandan retired as a professor and chairman of botany after teaching for 38 years in the US. His interests range from all aspects of botany to Pallava art history, Tamil literature, Dalit issues, education, space biology and spending time with young people to explore social consequences of oppression and empowering them to pursue studies in India and abroad. Ten years ago he helped organize a student and youth group called 'THUDI' involved in educating, agitating and organizing.

P. Dayanandan

By the entrance to the Garden of Eden

There I waited for the botanist

who knew all about mustards, figs and lilies.

“Tell me, Cousin Jesus

I have seen the tree of Knowledge

And the Tree of Life

Show me the Tree of Freedom

Unguarded by swords, serpents or priests"

He took me past the Garden of Gethsemane

There it was – a cross of dead wood.

He said that he had climbed it

and knew that I could climb it too

I hugged him and kissed him

I broke the chains, shattered the bloody nails,

Cleared the garden and raised a forest

The sweet smell of freedom filled every pore

I am the Tree of Life!                                                             

 

This poem was written by Dr. Paulraj Dayanandan with Easter in his mind, as a card conveying his best wishes to all. 

~~~

Dr. P. Dayanandan retired as a professor and chairman of botany after teaching for 38 years in the US. His interests range from all aspects of botany to Pallava art history, Tamil literature, Dalit issues, education, space biology and spending time with young people to explore social consequences of oppression and empowering them to pursue studies in India and abroad. Ten years ago he helped organize a student and youth group called 'THUDI' involved in educating, agitating and organizing.

 

Genesis Chapter One

P. Dayanandan

By the well of Jacob

There I sat down and wept

Next to the man who asked for water

 

“Tell me, Cousin Jesus

            Neither a pariah in the beginning nor in caste

            How did I become one half-way through?

            And you still remain a Jew?”

 

He bent down and wrote something

On that despised Samarian sand

Look! He could read my mind

I remain illiterate

 

I sat down and wept

            The well filled, overflowed with living water!

~~~ 

 

Joy to the World

 

By the side of the manger, there I was

When three men from the East arrived

Late to worship my darling

The star took them to murderous Herod

The pundits got it wrong.

 

          “Tell me, Cousin Jesus

          Are you the Son of God?

          Are David, Moses, Abraham, Adam

your ancestors?

          Where did I come from?

          From the mouth, arms, thighs?

          They say I am not fit

          to be born even from the feet.”

 

I saw the star twinkle in his eyes as he winked

And said: We have bypassed the primeval purusha

Who needs Adam or the sons of Noah  

We both are miracle babies!

 

I gathered all the angels and shepherds

For a cosmic dance of peace and goodwill

Joy to the world

I am the Daughter of God!            

 

Dr. Paulraj Dayanandan shared these two poems as Christmas greetings.

~~~

Dr. P. Dayanandan retired as a professor and chairman of botany after teaching for 38 years in the US. His interests range from all aspects of botany to Pallava art history, Tamil literature, Dalit issues, education, space biology and spending time with young people to explore social consequences of oppression and empowering them to pursue studies in India and abroad. Ten years ago he helped organize a student and youth group called 'THUDI' involved in educating, agitating and organizing.