Fall

I sit with my japa meditation in Autumn

and the mantra arrives softly like leaves

falling to the ground. Each one making

a journey down. Each mantra landing

in my head and heart.

As I listen to the Name I too become

softer, the mind shedding cares like

the falling leaves.

And the warm colors blowing in the wind

remind me of the gopis, great lovers of Krishna

who also fall like the leaves in Autumn:

"The vibration of Krishna's flute is like a whirlwind

and the flickering minds of the gopis are like

straws and dry leaves. After they fall down

in the whirlwind they never rise again

but remain eternally at the lotus feet of Krsna."

Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya Lila, 21.113