The Gallows

The Gallows 

     The tree began to speak. 

When the lamps are lit, the people

burst into flame as well. Their inner

harmony overcomes darkness as though

fire can at once be both hot and cold.

 

Loudly they vow loyalty until Krishna

requires silence as he watches them

burn within his light. Minds without self,

without will, they become Sanyasi,

sages whose souls have been conquered

     by lack of time or space and filled

with eternity, a vision that liberates:

freedom from dark that tortures a soul,

freedom from cares, lust, wrath,

greed, no false austerity but true joy.

[sonnet]