March 7th was the beginning of the Shivyatri, an annual event in the Hindu calendar that celebrates Shiva, one of the religion’s most important gods. All across India, people spent the day fasting and praying. One of our students, Evan, decided to join the tradition. The day was monumental for him (he describes it as one of the best of his life), and the experience clearly inspired reflection.
Here is what Evan wrote about the day:
Alone
High above
Doing the impossible work
catching rivers
wearing snakes around his neck
his soul
his true sight
his son’s head went rolling
by his feet
solitude is an ally
when fighting the real fight
Inspired Cold Cleansed Clear
Mountain River
Solitary Suffering Flying Crying
Child Star Fire
Communal Strange Intense Emotional
An empty stomach
blood pulsating
stone to be made
for the other
weak body
weak mind
strong in spirit
within the cold
he once caught
feeling a fragment
of what he has felt
And now you die
And now you cry
And now you fly
The gift of a god
the gift of giving
Bathe
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