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the bohdi tree

 

 



here,
where I am the deepest,
deeper than the ego,
than hurt,

next to my ribs,
deep in the heart
of my hips, for us
I’ve planted the bohdi tree

you will be the green smile, the poem
Rumi wrote upon the sky,
and I, like Neruda,
in the centre of the earth
will push aside the emeralds
so that I can see you
in the branches,

and in the wind and its breathings
that lifted us up into a kiss,
into the curve of kites
and flags

you will be the shade
that grows from me, and opens
into a star, evergreen,

eversun - and I,

 

warmth,
the unchanging root,
my voice the highest leaves

 

 

 




 

Author notes

The Bohdi tree has heart-shaped leaves and is a large and old specimen of the Sacred Fig, located at the Mahabohdi Temple in India. The word Bohdi means “enlightenment”.

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 57 of 57
  • this is so good it makes me feel sick!


  • catnipmeow
    November 14, 2008
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    so very ethereal

    You are my new favorite poet as well !!!!!
    I love Rumi.........and now you !!!!


  • Randomly Beautiful
    May 30, 2008

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    There is not a piece written by you that does not deserve the gold. I am humbled every time I read your words. They breathe.


  • Heath Thompson
    April 22, 2008
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    My god I love this! That's it you are my favourite poet now! Neruda is history!


  • Amber Rose
    February 16, 2008
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    Very nice

    This poem is very calming. I like the imagry and references to nature. Good luck!


  • Cannonsfire
    January 11, 2008

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    If all the old poets could be rolled into one, they would be called you, for this just resonates in me as many of yours do, such care, consciousness, the awakening of a bohdi. Beautiful Love, C


  • Princess Adele
    January 9, 2008

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    oh my god!!! i am speechless!!!!! I love bhodi.....my mum grows it in the backyard.....
    but to describe in form of love is sooooo......wow!!!!!!

    I love it!!!


  • MargaretG
    December 24, 2007

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    This is a dance of metaphors and lovely images. It is good to know what the title refers to, an added dimension, among so many.

  • mimiagatha
    December 24, 2007

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    the intricacies of love at its purest, the physical, the mental, the spiritual - the three aspects which construct a relationship and an unbreakable bond between the human creatures of this world. i don’t believe in big names, i do believe in deep hearts, and you show here yours at its nakedest and prettiest.

    • Nicolette gold member
      January 2, 2008
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      Yes, I too don't believe in big names or even big words, but in the simple words like love and heart... thank you, my friend.


  • le soir
    December 21, 2007
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    lovely write.


  • UnchartedPoet
    December 21, 2007

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    Lovely indeed, this was a perfect write. I enjoyed the read, the flow and image was great. Congrats of the trophy, it was well deserved for sure.

    Jen


  • Dienush
    December 21, 2007

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    In this your voice is so clear, Nicolette, and I could see you in every image, perhaps even more than in other poems. I wish I could write as well as you do.


    • Nicolette gold member
      December 21, 2007
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      Yes, I guess this one is an example of my voice. Thank you, Diana - and hey, you are a great poet!!


  • Cat
    December 20, 2007
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    there is so much love in this piece- such a beautiful write

    m


  • Mark Rickerby gold member
    December 20, 2007

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    I was thinking this sounded like a Neruda poem and then his name appeared! I would like to write more poems like this. I will be studying you. Beautifully done. Perfect flow.

    Mark


    • Nicolette gold member
      December 20, 2007
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      Mark, thank you very much - kind of you to say so. I hope I myself can write more poems like these


  • Utok Bulinaw
    December 17, 2007

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    Nic, your poetry always carries a soul full of light, beauty and love. Such gentle words to greet my day. Congratulations.


  • just rob gold member
    December 17, 2007

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    You are the master

    of the plant metaphor! This reads like a prayer flag, stirred by the gentle wind of words. I read it many times. Congrats on a richly deserved award.


    Peace, Rob


  • poetryality silver member
    December 17, 2007

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    I always ask to end my day on a note that will render peaceful sleep. Your poem has done that for me dear sister/friend. I am enlightened, and highly impressed with how you played the metaphor like a harp in this writ. Very peaceful, and indeed quite the beautiful work of poetry, Your words breath deeply, creating my last awake sigh. I am sure this poem will cause sighs in my sleep as well. Thank You!

    Goodnight Dear Heart. It is now 5:27 AM, and your poem must be the reason I stayed up into the wee hours of this morning. I can slumber well now.


    Much Love Always ♥

    Renee


  • leander Moderators member
    December 17, 2007

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    What a great way to start a monday with - along to the fact that I became an Uncle just yesterday

    A great amount of imagery again... and I'm still awaiting your book


  • BurmaShave
    December 17, 2007

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    This is my favorite among the winners, if only because I felt it more deeply, and it sings to me more sweetly.


  • Heart Sutra
    December 17, 2007

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    Nicolette, your poetry is truly alive. That is really the scar and the flower of a poet....a poem that sings with life. There is not ever a dull or dead moment in the energy around your words. They all come forth from your soul regardless of the metaphors you chose or the story woven around them.

    This poem is exceptionally deep. I see a new leap in your poetry too. Now publishing a book seems to do that to a writer...next level of writing begins to emerge. Glorious pain is planted here between these things and in this tree.


    • Nicolette gold member
      December 17, 2007
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      Zayra... now you've made me tear up. Thank you....


  • ellipsist
    December 16, 2007

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    beautiful! an absolutely astonishing and imaginative creation - tender and filled with such poignant and vivid imagery!

    lovely, indeed!


  • Ladybug
    December 16, 2007

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    do I know you this is for? I like the look of you picture. I know you will soar and go far in your world with the success of your new book. I am so proud of each and every piece you write dear one.
    I only smile deeper as I read each new piece you write.

    much love and light your way
    you are a special gift to all you come in contact



    Tamara

  • Shannon
    December 16, 2007
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    this is beautiful.


  • Jersene gold member
    December 16, 2007

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    This does have a feeling of soulful enlightenment...beautiful and genuine. Excellent


  • Peteskid gold member
    December 16, 2007
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    touching here so many thoughts held close and ideas with deeper meanings; wonderful...PK


  • Saint Merman
    December 16, 2007

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    Nicolette, you are sure to be a best-seller with your work. Such prettily-painted words here. Poetry is the honest expression of one's soul. This is magnificent.

    Peace, Love & Light,
    Jay

  • Yvette Champ gold member
    December 16, 2007
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    Excellent.


  • quietly burning
    December 16, 2007

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    like a tree looking down (within) and looking up (to the outside) these gentle words cross every spiritual boundary. beautifully and soulfully written.


  • Sonja
    December 16, 2007

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    Your words and their meaning are so deep, so soft and tender and fragile, growing like a bodhi tree from the very firs seed to reach the skies. With your poetry you are always turning me deep into the poetical mood.
    ~Sonja~

    • Nicolette gold member
      December 16, 2007
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      What a lovely thing to say, Sonja...some of my friends call me the "deepwaterwoman", lol... thank you, my friend


  • klassy lassy
    December 16, 2007

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    Oh, Nicolette...the whispers of eternity sing in this, the sort one never hears with auditory nerves, yet sets every fiber of being aglow with luminescence. Such beauty lies in the essence of trees, harmonies of currents and rings, breath and arms to bear life, all that makes love a haven...always, the inner self knows the leaves, their shadows and turnings, the evergreen fed by the light--and finds its identity.

    You are incredible. I can't find the words to say more...can only marvel at the beauty that is here.

    Love, K


    • Nicolette gold member
      December 16, 2007
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      Karen... even your comment is poetic - and meaningful and beautiful. Thank you, my friend...

  • grm
    December 15, 2007

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    i can only echo the sentiments of all those who came before me...wonderful.
    like looking into the well of souls.


  • misselaineous
    December 15, 2007
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    beautiful
    simply wonderful poetry


  • Leslie gold member
    December 15, 2007

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    exquisit... a beautiful song, my heart felt it


  • Namita
    December 15, 2007

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    Wow. I'm sorry, but one like I cannot comment on such pieces. I am just a poet. You are a true poet. And this just receives my sigh. And of course, a silent look. Have I said before that you write poetry and not just poems? Sorry, all my comments are monotonous.

    I never knew that there were Bohdi trees and stuff. Dumb me.


  • marc creamore
    December 15, 2007

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    Your voice has the delicacy of a dawn flower . . . Nicolette you never fail to touch me in the deeper places . . .


  • AJ Morelli gold member
    December 15, 2007

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    one of the most beautiful poems i've read in a while, the imagery is luscious and the lines:

    "deep in the heart
    of my hips..."

    are just too good


    al


    • Nicolette gold member
      December 16, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you, Al - I've been wanting to write this one for a long time


  • Swan song gold member
    December 15, 2007
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    I love this. No need to comment more than that!


  • Lyrical Soul silver member
    December 15, 2007

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    Love this my vriendin.
    ~Lyrical


  • NurseChilly gold member
    December 15, 2007

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    this is what I know, what I know of men and women and how we see

    the developing rooted moments, the cleaving, the poignancy


  • Night Hope gold member
    December 15, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    "and I, like Neruda,
    in the centre of the earth
    will push aside the emeralds
    so that I can see you
    in the branches"

    Sighhh...I love how you sing, my dear Friend. Such a magnificent penning this is. You plant a garden everywhere you go, Sweetie. Good luck in Zayra's contest.

1 - 57 of 57