Intoxicated Sweetness^*
Vera Vandendries © [2006]

Of olden times, the goddess of earth whose names are many, reigned supreme,
Governing the fierce and benign forces of nature, waxing and waning cycle of the moon,
Creating the perpetual circle of vegetated life along with changing seasons and monsoon.

Whether people call her by a name, the physical processes of nature are the same.
Regenerative forces of life emergent carry out by warm sunlight and cooling rain,
Within the vessel of earth, grows reeds of sugarcane, watered fields of grain.

Birth of her womb great mother earth nurtures all of her creatures and mankind
Storehouses and granaries filled to the rim with produce of whatever nature brings,
Out of thankfulness for her bounty, the wise ones give her sacred offerings.

They feel the connection of the Divine with nature's living abundance,
While others merrily drink the fermented juices of grape, grain, or sugarcane,
Tasting a mere drop of the intoxicating sweetness within the sphere of her domain.

The ritual of death and renewal observed in winter's sleep and spring's morn,
Causes worshippers to reflect upon their inner goddess and role in natures adorn.
Oh Salutations! Goddess of Life-Sustaining Vegetation


The inspiration for the artwork and poem is the goddess Dhanyalakshmi.