Tarry said she
the mother of all, Vasundhara,
‘Sons and daughters
hear my call
you walked on my body
fed on my soul
reaped milk of my breasts
dug deep into my being
yet children of the universe
have I been kind to you
I nourished you with my blood
my body unctions made you stronger
my fragrances gave wings to your imagination
my breath breathed more vigor into you
my waters bathed you, played with you and soothed your cries
children of the universe
I continued to pour my heart to fill into your cups
which you sometimes discarded without care
I stopped never to love you and care for you
even as you tore me down to my bare bones
drilled deep into my bare soul
children of the universe
your brothers and sisters
on 2 feet, 4 feet and no feet
some on wings and some on fins
some sailing in my waters
some dancing in the skies
some rooted to protect you no matter what
I taught them to love you
told them to nourish you
even replenish you
yet children of the universe
my last born, your turn it was to be kind
your turn it was to stop and help and lend a hand
your turn it was to sing a song and hold me strong
but have you failed and how
children of the universe
your same-womb-borns
cry for your love
they seek your thought
they demand space in your heart
they shall not be plundered thus
the waters protest
the skies cry out
at your atrocity
children of the universe
my most beloved, tarry,tarry, tarry!
Adhyapika 