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| Courtesy: Google Image |
Do you remember
The thirty year old young man*
Whom you called ‘Cyclonic Monk’?
To whom you said “We’ve come to you
As we would go to Jesus”
He told you, “If only I could set you free like Him”
Do you remember
The thirty year old young man
Whose love flowed in the words
“My sisters and brothers of America”
And you flowed towards him
For the sake of a touch of his godly hands
Do you remember
The thirty year old young man
Whose words deluged America
It was one 11th September, 1893
At Parliament of Religions in Chicago
It was you who said, “He is Strength and Love
personified”
Ah, mark the date
9/11
Love bloomed then
An epoch making nineties
Of the Nineteenth Century
Sigh…………………………………
*Swami Vivekananda
Posted for Susan’s Midweek motif ~ Ninety / The Nineties @ Poets United
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Shared with Open Link Night # 169 @ dVerse
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Shared with Open Link Night # 169 @ dVerse
O, o, O! No, I did not know of him, but I am grateful to know now, and to add a wisdom dimension to a date known with hate in the USA (despite the acts of love it gave rise to). To be as free as Jesus--giving of love and strength and accepting each our cross--is often subverted by Christian religions where rules overtake faith. Thank you for your poem!
ReplyDeleteSuch an insightful poem.
ReplyDeletePowerfully written.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Sumana, a beautiful read. I am glad to know there was a 9/11 of love to counterbalance the more recent one. I echo your sigh.....this world needs so much love.
ReplyDeletevery interesting
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Sumana
much love...
Thank you so much for this insight to Swami Vivekananda. I am sure like me many other readers will Google him to get a fuller picture of his short life and be inspired by his words.
ReplyDeleteLike the other commenters, I don't know him either. But now I'm intrigued. I'll be sure to look him up and learn more. Thanks Sumana.
ReplyDeleteAn icon for humanity!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem Sumana.. I think this is one my favourite poems of yours now.
ReplyDeleteHey...
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing back the legend from history.
I am a big fan of Swami Vivekananda!
I couldn't help but think what a nice contrast to have something positive also commemorated on 9/11 - 30 seems no age to carry that hope and yet in some special people it does indeed shine and make us sigh - thankfully
ReplyDeleteI did not know of him Sumana....this is insightful and beautifully done...I do want to learn more of him...thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteA good job on widening our horizons, Sumana...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Sumana ~ Thanks for shedding light and love from that decade ~
ReplyDeleteSumana, it sounds like you are widening many of our horizons. Really he sounds like someone I should have heard of. I will do a bit more research. Thanks for your intriguing piece!
ReplyDeleteO! Sumana, a brilliant take.
ReplyDeleteThis gave me chills, Sumana. Not only because any individual who inspired (and still inspires) this kind of response has to be precious, but also I love what you did with 9/11. Horrors shouldn't be forgotten, but memories of love should be kept above the horrors.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the man. But know I'll remember what you said of him... and will research for more. ♥
Thank you for adding a positive dimenstion to 9/11 -- a day of infamy in the US.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at the 9/11 of Love; as a Beat Poet, old hippie, & New Age advocate, you hit all the right notes & buttons with this piece; thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love the links here and the spirituality.
ReplyDeleteThere are schools named after him here. Not known him more than that. Thanks for the info Sumana!
ReplyDeleteHank
Interfaith ambassadors help create peace, facilitate cultural exchange, and enhance ethical development. Thank you for sharing this pioneering exemplar of a Hindu religious ambassador to the US.
ReplyDeletesuch wise, uplifting words. your poetry is such a powerful life force. always a joy to read.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to know of a 9/11 that is associated with something beautiful. :-)
ReplyDelete~Imelda
The date is interesting indeed! Not what most people think when they hear 9/11
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute, Sumana. I remembered him in one of my posts a few years back:
ReplyDeletehttp://nicholasjv.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/lemon-blossom-youth-wolf.html
An insightful poem about a great man! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete