Joy is within you!

Ananda Columbus

California Joy (2005)

Golden rays of sunny California,
     beaming lights of supernal joy.
Not just material rays of heat and photon,
     but beams beyond time and space.
Gorgeous yogi-trees of tall welcoming pine,
     sumptuous views of peaceful panoramas.
High Sierra peaks soaring above the scene,
     far above the traffic jams of confusion.
Not a place solely on a map,
     but at least half-located just in your heart.
A good old-fashioned California yogi-stop,
     with a bunch of inner gold-miners set up camp.
He said He died for sunny grand ol` India,
     took that thought with the last breath.
But give me my sun-drenched, samadhi-soaked
     California Joy when I go.
Give me more joy, more joy, more California Joy.
 
 

Yogi Trees (2004)

Soaring Ponderosas, reaching for light.
Spine-trunks strong and sturdy, branches silently striving for sky,
    even offering healing prayers to city-worn creatures.
Energy and nourishment flow up and down vital centers,
    the prana of the plants.
Unmoved by wind, rain, fire, wild animals, even the dread chainsaw.
For even the saw can only cut dead matter,
    not touch the immortal tree soul.
Rooted, safe, secure, surely you are all yogi-trees.
Radiating calmness, peace, and joy, you are Divine Mother herself.
 
 

- poems by Jack Byrom.
composed at Ananda Village in northern California.