Beloved India

Like a voice
deep in the forest
How you call to me!

I hear you now

Brushing my face
against the leaves,
big and small
high and low
soft and prickly,
I tread closer
and closer,
following signs
left for me

A faint whisper magnifies
the closer we reach it
A song more beautiful
once we realize its meaning
That sweet moment
when disillusions merge into reality

I’m answering your call

Butterflies, owls, crows
sweeping overhead
floating all around
What’s that I see
coming towards me?

Seeking an eager rider,
a brown, bareback horse
meanders my way
No time for fear
as I climb up
channeling a warrior princess
of days long ago
From out of nowhere
in a land far away
soars a lady hawke
right to me
And suddenly
coming face to face
with a trapped falcon
longing to fly free

Is this fantasy?
An alternate reality?
A dream come true?
A prayer answered?

Quickening my pace
before daylight runs out
Gotta make it out the forest

But which way to turn?

Guided by the melodic
strumming of a guitar
is my only way out
and into an ancient land
where two hearts reunite

Beloved India,
I return home to thee