“Lady With the Birds”; Painting by Sunita Khedekar http://www.khedekars.com/about-sunita/
Her eyes were pavonated
like the feathers of the peacock
that was her constant companion,
and lightly encircled with deep topaz.
The effect was stunning.
Shiny, silky atrous hair
framed a delicate, porcelain countenance
that equaled her kindly demeanor.
But her outward beauty was
not why the avian world
was attracted to her presence.
It was her ease with and acceptance
of all feathered and winged creatures.
Since a small child, she doted on
and cared for fallen nestlings.
The injured or lost found their
way to her capable and
encompassing spirit.
She spoke to them in low,
gentle coos and trills and was
recognized as one of their own.
Her daily sadhana was
performed under the spreading
canopy of the village banyan tree.
As she relaxed in contemplation,
birds of all size and hue would
gather close…quiet, respectful,
in repose…understanding her
communion with the All Loving One.
They felt her peace; they knew her love.
Her gaze emitted a celestial, pale blue
light, the soul light of the Blue Pearl.
Stillness and harmony reigned, hearts
merged between woman and bird.
There was no separation.
Today at dVerse Poets, Grace introduces us to the spectacular artwork of Sunita Khedekar as inspiration. I chose her painting, “Lady With the Birds.” Thank you to Grace, and to Sunita for your generosity in sharing your work with us. http://dversepoets.com/2014/03/18/poetics/
Bodhirose's Blog 
Brian Miller
/ March 18, 2014it is her spirit….her compassion that comes out in the way she loves them…cares for them…regardless….that is what they sense…yes….beautiful take on the prompt gayle..what a cool person to meet as well….
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Yes, her open, compassionate spirit. Would love to be as that woman is… Thank you, Brian.
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billgncs
/ March 18, 2014I have known people with the affinity to animals and birds that your poem so adroitly describes. I love animals, but cannot speak to them like that.
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014I can’t connect with animals on this level either but I so admire those that can.
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billgncs
/ March 19, 2014Hi Gayle — when I watch my oldest daughter ride a horse, it makes me believe in telepathy. I can’t tell you how jealous I am 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014I know what you mean, Bill. I’ve read stories about horses and their amazing connections with people…it’s deep. Lucky daughter you have there… 🙂
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ramblingsfromamum
/ March 18, 2014Beautiful imagery Gayle I was under that Banyan tree. She reminds me of the lady who spoke with Diablo – those that can speak with animals, you have captured the picture and brought about some marvellous words and descriptions.
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Thank you, Mum (don’t know your name, sorry). Yes, I agree she’s like that animal communicator woman with the leopard. Perhaps that story was my unconscious inspiration for my poem…
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claudia
/ March 19, 2014oh there is a nice bit of magic in this… cool on the close connection with the birds – that they’re attracted by her personality and her love for them..very cool gayle
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014I love the magic of connection with “wild” animals. Oh to be that quiet and still that no animal is frightened by your presence and even wants to be near you. Thanks much, Claudia.
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vandana
/ March 19, 2014The bird and the lady complement each other:)
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014I so agree. Thank you, Vandana.
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rosross
/ March 19, 2014I love pavonated…..
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Me too…great word that I just discovered existed…
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kkkkaty1
/ March 19, 2014Birds are intelligent creatures..and beautiful and distinct, each one so different. I almost wrote about the peacock, such a beautiful animal, but you did a much better poem than I could muster 😉
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Your poem was beautiful, Katy…very expressive. You would have done that peacock justice…I know you would have.
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Mary
/ March 19, 2014You have created a wonderful portrait of this lady with birds. I like the idea that the birds were not attracted to her because of her outward beauty but because of her ease and acceptance of the birds. I think they just knew they had found a kindred spirit.
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014You’re right, Mary…a kindred spirit. I like that…and thank you too.
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Grace
/ March 19, 2014Stunning portrayal of the woman’s spirit ~ I specially love this part:
They felt her peace; they knew her love.
Her gaze emitted a celestial, pale blue
light…the soul light of the Blue Pearl.
Thanks for linking up Gayle ~
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Was great fun, Grace. I really love Sunita’s work. The bright colors and topics are so appealing to me.
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ayala
/ March 19, 2014Beautiful and magical poem!
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Thank you, Ayala!
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Truedessa
/ March 19, 2014A beautiful poem..and yes I could feel her spirit as one with the birds..
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014So glad you felt that. Thank you.
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nico
/ March 19, 2014Every faith tradition has stories of various holy men and women who had such a connection with nature and the Divine that their presence brought back the peace of Eden, and I love the way you captured a bit of this in your poem. Lovely work!
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014So true…I love reading about these divine connections…such an inspiration to me. And thank you for a lovely comment, Nico.
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ March 19, 2014Gayle, deeply touching. This brought to mind St. Francis. I do believe that nature understands and responds to those who are one with her.
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014I believe so too, Victoria. I feel such a reverence for people such as these. Thank you, Victoria.
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Abhra Pal
/ March 19, 2014Gayle, such a beautiful and soulful piece – such graceful insight to the visual art as well. Loved your work.
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Thank you, Abhra…I feel so honored by your lovely comment.
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ March 19, 2014There is such a heartfelt compassion in your words.. I think this can be read also on a level of symbolism.. loved it..
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Bodhirose
/ March 19, 2014Many thanks, Bjorn, for your kind words. I do feel a lot of compassion for all animals and having a connection with them on a deeper level is very inspiring to me.
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kaykuala
/ March 20, 2014Some people have a way with animals.. Not so much whether one likes to do good for animals but more so for these animals to create acceptance right away! Nicely Gayle!
Hank
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2014I love to hear of this accepting energy between humans and animals and even different species of animals connecting with one another. Thank you, Hank!
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heidi
/ March 21, 2014You are a delightful storyteller! I love the interpretation of the painting.
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Bodhirose
/ March 21, 2014Thank you so much, Heidi…I really appreciate your compliment for me.
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lucychili
/ March 22, 2014she sounds wonderful. i have a sister who loves birds it reminds me of her.
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Bodhirose
/ March 23, 2014I have a sister who loves birds too… 🙂
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