The Silk Road – Poetry for Mind and Soul

The ancient Silk Road is a wonderful journey metaphor that provides the context for these beautiful poems – it linked diverse cultures in an exchange not only of silk and spices, but also of poetry and philosophies. Here, it is the Silk Road of Life on which we are all fellow pilgrims. The poems with their striking background illustrations by Rajendrani Mukherjee are sensually evocative of scenes along the Road, drawing perennial truths from everyday situations:

Both monks and merchants keep the secret. How to live – Here and now. (Some lines like these are repeated at the end for emphasis)

The gift of silk travels Through the threads of thanksgiving.

This is the place where arrows cannot reach or pierce And life levitates with love.

Don’t ask for freedom for yourself But from yourself.

Nagarjuna closed his eyes And murmured – that is fullness. Enjoy the bliss and know, That you are blessed with Nothing.

The peaceful and penetrating wisdom of these gentle poems recalls the mystical tone of Tagore and Rumi in a timeless yet contemporary idiom. Highly recommended.