In January 2016, Yolanda Koumidou visited Meher Mount for Amartithi - a commemoration of the day in 1969 when Avatar Meher Baba dropped His physical form. She was inspired by that visit to write this poem, "Under Baba's Tree." 

Yolanda later returned to Meher Mount in February 2017 to be a temporary caretaker. "What a privilege it was to be the caretaker of Meher Mount for a few days. It is truly a sacred space. Every time I return from Meher Mount, I am never the same." 

"Under Baba’s Tree”

a giant of a tree
half burned
survivor trunk
branches like whole bodies
wrapped in dry, cracked skin
bowing down, all around

masculine and feminine
entangling
the enormous, powerful, thick branches
holding
the fluttering, small, tender leaves

birds
sing a short song
then move on
yellow leaves
finishing this life time
carpeting the tree floor
offering last service
before decaying

a sweet aroma, not knowing where from
penetrating the air
sun sneaking through any possible opening
between the green leaves
holding strong
with life still to live

a remarkable Silence
encasing all these sights and sounds
when it descends
nothing is needed
nothing else is remotely necessary

yet the mind still succeeds

in its invasions about what to do next, when and how
but the Silence, this Silence
like blanket over fire
quickly covers and extinguishes
mind's futile meanderings

prevailing
the Silence, this Silence
His Silence

~ Yolanda Koumidou, 2016 

More Poetry

• "April Poppies"

• "What the Hawk Saw"

• "Summer Song"

• Meher Mount Inspires Young Poet