! The Guna Show Poem by Michael Shepherd

So much has travelled from the East to West
that it’s surprising that those three great forces
which the Indians knew so well, are not
in Western consciousness; they tell so much;
and seen for what they are, we are prepared
for their perpetual play – their ceaseless game
which plays a merry hell, a merry heaven
with all of nature and our mortal lives..

They’re known as ‘sattva’ – all that shines, enlightens
and uplifts; ‘rajas’ – that’s all energy,
that gets things going, keeps things on the move;
and ‘tamas’ – that’s inertia’s purest form…

these three are said to be divine, in that
they’re pure of nature – as when joy bursts out,
and feet join in the dance – then rest, and sleep;
while tamas the divine mysteriously
renews us from within to face new day..

yet, if we live a life where these great three
are out of harmony, then demons lurk –
false dreams seduce; or curséd restlessness;
or sloth brings ruin and darkness in its wake.

These mighty three respected, life is easier;
and like some party game, they bring surprise;
they keep us on our toes; yet serve, mysterious,
some greater purpose beyond mortal eyes;
when huge suns burst, stars cool, and life arrives,
they play their part; rule, here and now, our lives.