She is a Mystic Rose, each petal is poetry that LIP could not resist but wanting to peel to find her depth yet not to discard the petals. So the only way is to sink within her soul and here just bits of her poetic petals:
How did you become a voice of mystic rose?
I chose the name based on a experience I had in my meditation when I was in my teens. I had just started on the spiritual path that I am now currently on .. since then the rose has been my favorite flower and fragrance. One evening I was meditating and I felt this profound closeness to my guru, and this fragrance of rose filled the air around me. Over the days it got deeper and whenever I would try to follow it with my attention it would recede, but when I gave up and just meditated, it would come back and one day it was so strong and I realised that it was coming from my heart..every time I would breathe out, it seemed to rise within me and fill my senses, there was a certain 'coolness' about it, like a slight breeze. Since then the rose has been my favorite flower and equated with spirituality. Also in Sufism, the divine is referred to as a Rose, symbolically.
Actually I must say that when I say mystic rose, I am not referring to myself though that has now become a pseudonym. I am referring to the divine.. and the blog was to be my expression of seeking it. SO is the address. - light of rose - meaning the divine. But unfortunately it turned around and i became mystic rose.. In retrospect I should have termed it Seeking the Rose perhaps!!
Why did you choose to write under pen name?
As I said, I chose the name with the clear intent being "this is what I seek".. but I did not use my name to sign my posts, perhaps because this 'i' is insignificant.. and also, it afforded me anonymity and I could write something personal in a way that I would not otherwise have done.
Your poetic voice has so much femininity, lavished with ample romance? How do you define your poetry? Your poetic style has it been influenced with certain poet and certain poetry style (can you tell us more about it)
Its difficult to define myself even to myself, and no I don't have any particular style that I know of. I use a lot of visual images in my writing, and try to catch the ephemeral, the magic in the ordinary. I've never studied poetry, prose is my preferred medium actually. Its only lately that I have come to read here and there. I like Rumi and Wordsworth. And lately blogger friends have been introducing me to a variety of poets. I so enjoy that! To read their favorite poems and see how much I like them myself. If anyone has influenced me it is probably Rumi and Khalil Gibran. I wish I could read Rumi in Persian.
I prefer poems by mystics, saints. And as for romance and femininity, I am a woman of course! and romance is a part of life to me. But it isn't a conscious effort on my part to be feminine or romantic in my writing.
How did you become a voice of mystic rose?
I chose the name based on a experience I had in my meditation when I was in my teens. I had just started on the spiritual path that I am now currently on .. since then the rose has been my favorite flower and fragrance. One evening I was meditating and I felt this profound closeness to my guru, and this fragrance of rose filled the air around me. Over the days it got deeper and whenever I would try to follow it with my attention it would recede, but when I gave up and just meditated, it would come back and one day it was so strong and I realised that it was coming from my heart..every time I would breathe out, it seemed to rise within me and fill my senses, there was a certain 'coolness' about it, like a slight breeze. Since then the rose has been my favorite flower and equated with spirituality. Also in Sufism, the divine is referred to as a Rose, symbolically.Actually I must say that when I say mystic rose, I am not referring to myself though that has now become a pseudonym. I am referring to the divine.. and the blog was to be my expression of seeking it. SO is the address. - light of rose - meaning the divine. But unfortunately it turned around and i became mystic rose.. In retrospect I should have termed it Seeking the Rose perhaps!!
Why did you choose to write under pen name?As I said, I chose the name with the clear intent being "this is what I seek".. but I did not use my name to sign my posts, perhaps because this 'i' is insignificant.. and also, it afforded me anonymity and I could write something personal in a way that I would not otherwise have done.
Your poetic voice has so much femininity, lavished with ample romance? How do you define your poetry? Your poetic style has it been influenced with certain poet and certain poetry style (can you tell us more about it)Its difficult to define myself even to myself, and no I don't have any particular style that I know of. I use a lot of visual images in my writing, and try to catch the ephemeral, the magic in the ordinary. I've never studied poetry, prose is my preferred medium actually. Its only lately that I have come to read here and there. I like Rumi and Wordsworth. And lately blogger friends have been introducing me to a variety of poets. I so enjoy that! To read their favorite poems and see how much I like them myself. If anyone has influenced me it is probably Rumi and Khalil Gibran. I wish I could read Rumi in Persian.
I prefer poems by mystics, saints. And as for romance and femininity, I am a woman of course! and romance is a part of life to me. But it isn't a conscious effort on my part to be feminine or romantic in my writing.
Mystic Rose, where would like to go and reach with your poetic voice???
When i first started writing it was with a hunger to share what I felt within.
I would like to be able to reach my friends, other women, well anyone and everyone who would be open to being reached actually . I would like to be able to soothe people, draw them into the magic of those moments that I have experienced. I wish I could make people connect to that inner thing, the beauty that is within them that allows them to experience everything in that beauty.. That is why i use a lot of visual images, if a person will allow herself to be drawn into those images, I feel like my work is done. But most often I end up feeling inadequate with my words.
Your love for music is so apparent, do you find there is a line where music and poetry blend?
I think music is very profound, it is such a pure expression of our creativity. Music is fluid in structure, it flows like a river, widening and narrowing, transforming our moods and it leads us to a kind of awareness of our souls. Music IS poetry in pure sound, and at their highest both are born of the deepest wellsprings of human feelings, and that is why they have the ability to reach into us even hundreds of years later.
I listen to all kinds of music and choose from a variety depending on my mood, and generally use it to balance me.
In your own words, what makes a poet or a writer a serious writer or poet?
Your love for music is so apparent, do you find there is a line where music and poetry blend?I think music is very profound, it is such a pure expression of our creativity. Music is fluid in structure, it flows like a river, widening and narrowing, transforming our moods and it leads us to a kind of awareness of our souls. Music IS poetry in pure sound, and at their highest both are born of the deepest wellsprings of human feelings, and that is why they have the ability to reach into us even hundreds of years later.
I listen to all kinds of music and choose from a variety depending on my mood, and generally use it to balance me.
In your own words, what makes a poet or a writer a serious writer or poet? Anyone who writes, looks forward to writing every day, cant do without it, knows how much it means to them. Studies, not just reads, the masters. Writes, pours their heart and soul into it.
I understand you are based in India, how is the scene of poetry in India? (India had couple of Authors who are best sellers, does poetry have share in this?)
Poetry has always been a part of Indian culture, the ancient texts are poems thousands of lines long and they can be sung. In fact poetry in India is very rich, the language used is itself highly musical and rhythmic in sound. Poetry was made popular by bhakti movement.. the devotional spiritual movement.
Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for his book of poems, Gitanjali. There are and were wonderful poets but probably not well known outside of India because their medium is not English.
some of the other well known poets are Vikram Seth, Jayanta Mahapatra, Eunice de Souza, there's quite a few actually.. and sad to say I haven't read them yet.
Which one of your poems that lingers with you and it’s a poem you would not forget?
Something I had written in my late teens. One of the very first ones I wrote shortly after I had that experience during my meditation. Just before I started on this path and met my guru, my life was going through a turmoil. I have never before published that poem on my blog. Here it is:
My life was like a parched land
Thirsting for your touch
I knew not what I had lost
But I knew despair
Waiting for the beauty,
the innocence and the joy of life
The cracks went deep
My heart was dry
And then-
And then you came
A shower of gentle rain
I eagerly quenched my thirst
and yearned for more
Sometimes a misty presence
cool and teasing
sometimes stormy
with thunder and lightning
Beautiful and awesome
From the parched land
This flower has risen
From the fresh smell of the earth
It's fragrance comes
My Mother,
you have touched this flower and
shaped its petals
your fingers have played on it
bless me-
that I may now lie at Your Feet
How does the seed of poetry begin for you, where do you get your inspiration???
Most, not all, of my poems are spiritual in nature, my quest, experiences, some of them are inspired by nature, some perhaps by everyday life experiences, from meeting other people. So, just from life, I guess.
Poetry has always been a part of Indian culture, the ancient texts are poems thousands of lines long and they can be sung. In fact poetry in India is very rich, the language used is itself highly musical and rhythmic in sound. Poetry was made popular by bhakti movement.. the devotional spiritual movement.
Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for his book of poems, Gitanjali. There are and were wonderful poets but probably not well known outside of India because their medium is not English.
some of the other well known poets are Vikram Seth, Jayanta Mahapatra, Eunice de Souza, there's quite a few actually.. and sad to say I haven't read them yet.
Which one of your poems that lingers with you and it’s a poem you would not forget?
Something I had written in my late teens. One of the very first ones I wrote shortly after I had that experience during my meditation. Just before I started on this path and met my guru, my life was going through a turmoil. I have never before published that poem on my blog. Here it is:
My life was like a parched land
Thirsting for your touch
I knew not what I had lost
But I knew despair
Waiting for the beauty,
the innocence and the joy of life
The cracks went deep
My heart was dry
And then-
And then you came
A shower of gentle rain
I eagerly quenched my thirst
and yearned for more
Sometimes a misty presence
cool and teasing
sometimes stormy
with thunder and lightning
Beautiful and awesome
From the parched land
This flower has risen
From the fresh smell of the earth
It's fragrance comes
My Mother,
you have touched this flower and
shaped its petals
your fingers have played on it
bless me-
that I may now lie at Your Feet
How does the seed of poetry begin for you, where do you get your inspiration???
Most, not all, of my poems are spiritual in nature, my quest, experiences, some of them are inspired by nature, some perhaps by everyday life experiences, from meeting other people. So, just from life, I guess.
~DAWN ~
Through those depths of vast emptiness
the earth whirling in star sprinkled sleep
the asleep consciousness in a land of illusions
Far off the first miracle streaking the edges of heaven
drawing lover's fingers through fields of black
the first pale light grazing the prostrate terrain
The deep blush of your cheeks stained the skies
the Sun rose, a brilliant red God on your vast forehead
The ambrosial breath in the kiss of your lips
A spiritual vision, illumining the dark corners of matter
sacred moments of ardent unveiling fill the soul
and kindle the mystic fire of idealism.
Early beginnings of a new day,
the awakening to the morning's glow
sun kissed world, of rosy hues
and dissipating mists of moonlight.
Have you ever published a book or are thinking to be published? DO you think being a published poet can be determine our success of being renowned poets?
Through those depths of vast emptiness
the earth whirling in star sprinkled sleep
the asleep consciousness in a land of illusions
Far off the first miracle streaking the edges of heaven
drawing lover's fingers through fields of black
the first pale light grazing the prostrate terrain
The deep blush of your cheeks stained the skies
the Sun rose, a brilliant red God on your vast forehead
The ambrosial breath in the kiss of your lips
A spiritual vision, illumining the dark corners of matter
sacred moments of ardent unveiling fill the soul
and kindle the mystic fire of idealism.
Early beginnings of a new day,
the awakening to the morning's glow
sun kissed world, of rosy hues
and dissipating mists of moonlight.
Have you ever published a book or are thinking to be published? DO you think being a published poet can be determine our success of being renowned poets?
Of course, I think only the best are published, so if ever I were to be published I think I would be ecstatic, but, no I am not looking for my poetry to be published.
Where can we find your writing and poetry?
On my blogs.. http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/
For those of us who would like to engross our soul in to writing, could you advice us to where to begin?
Where can we find your writing and poetry?
On my blogs.. http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/
For those of us who would like to engross our soul in to writing, could you advice us to where to begin?
Find your style, start with the books that you most like to read..poetry or prose. study the masters. Read and write with all your heart and soul, explore, introspect, observe. Since i just started myself, I cannot really give more advice than that. :)
Mystic Rose, you left us speechless with your photo poetry. As I end here, your poetry sets out of my ears but I look forward to hear your words reciting within as like the sun when its set away from our eyes, we await for the sunlight again...
All photo poetry in here is the work of Mystic Rose ..for more you can visit her personal website http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/
22 Comments:
Mystic's poetry is beautiful, evocative and written with much insight. What a delightful interview this is to read.
9:31 AM
very interesting interview and i like the way the poems and photos are interspersed amongst the text.
11:10 AM
Hi Nasra,
Thank you once again.
I must tell you only the poetry is mine. These beautiful creations with the photos is actually rauf's work, although he does not want me to mention that.
2:54 PM
The BEST interview!!!
Beautifully written as the beautiful women
Nasra and Mystic Rose are.
Congratulations Mystic Rose!
I love your poetry, your posts, music and your spiritual place.
Indeed God puts Nasra and Rose here to be a light ... shine.
They both shine throuhg spiritual, divine, amazing poetry.
Love and Light!
3:09 PM
Mystic rose's poems are deep and evoking and she is one of the few I adore, or else I won't be here to comment on my holidays(the only time that I forget all about blogging)
She has a long way to go and I wish her all the best, every inch of the way.
Thanks to Nasra for bringing out the best from that lovely rose.
8:33 PM
Mystic is a fine soul, and every word she writes stems from the river of life; every word rings true.
Great interview. You have gone beyond the lines.
9:10 PM
Mystic Rose is gifted. she is extremely talented and her modesty reflects her simplicity of character. i think this is what sets her apart - no school in the world can teach us how to be simple.
her words are songs of her soul which touch the inner spark that each one of us posses. it is this universality of the divine spirit which binds us all in collective consciousness.
i wish her and this team all luck and success.
10:10 PM
A lovely, well-worded interview this is!! Congratulations Mystic Rose! And thankyou Nasra for bringing me here :)
10:47 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
11:35 PM
Lovely poetry.. and an insightful interview..Mytic Rose has always intrigued and inspired me..
Thanks a ton Nasra for bringing me here..:)
11:36 PM
I like the way you put it, peeling the petals. I think of writing poetry that way too, peeling away the layers of myself to get into the depths. I liked hearing the story of the name “Mystic Rose” and also that it didn’t originally refer to the person, but to the Divine. My mother gave everyone plaques with their names and their meanings for birthdays and Christmas one year. I remember my sister, whose name “Nancy” means "grace," said “But I’m not graceful!” And my mom said, these can also help you strive to be the meaning of your name. That’s what your story reminds me of.
By the way, and maybe I’ll leave this same comment on MR’s blog too, in November my friend and I are going to an all-day event at our university celebrating Rumi’s 800th birthday. We’re so excited. There will be whirling dervishes, which I’ve never seen, even though I lived in Turkey. There's something cool about letting out your ecstacy in physical dance. AND, Coleman Barks, the translator of the book of Rumi poems I read, will be there! He is quite insightful and a poet in his own right.
MR, I appreciate your intent of revealing your femininity. You do it very well, your blog is SO feminine and romantic. It’s a gift. Sensuality is there, and it really draws me in. The poem you wrote in your late teens is wonderful.
I agree about your advice to writers. You just have to read, read, read and write, write, write. I’m afraid I’m not doing as well with that as I’d wish.
Thanks Nasra, and MR, for the urge to honor poetry here. Beautifully done. rauf’s images are a perfect complement.
3:28 AM
What a wonderful and insightful interview - thank you both for giving us all a greater insight in Mystic Rose and her beautiful poetry.
10:03 AM
I like the spirituality-poetry connection. Thanks for a good interview and introducing me to her site, which I've just visited - a nice post on Gandhi.
11:50 AM
Mystic has a huge fan in me - her words, whether poetry or prose, always create imagery which shines with feeling. Her turn of phrase, and of stanza, is inspirational and beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing this interview!
4:20 PM
Nasra,
Good work. :)
Mystic is someone who writes with passion and so beautifully that i get something to reflect on.
Knowing the self. :)
7:23 AM
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
Jalal ad-Din Rumi
Well I always enjoyed listening to Mystic rose's poetry....an inward journey which she takes us through is just amazing....reaching for those moments...those never seen...never touched beauties....
very happy to learn more through this interview.....regards to you Mystic rose.....
keep smiling and sharing with us your divine experiences....
11:58 PM
Mystic Rose, Thank you for sharing this interview with us. Your blog is a delight, a welcome mat of greetings with words that embrace. When I first discovered your blog I came for the music. With gentlness of words you taught me to dance within. Congratulations...well deserved recognition.
6:44 AM
Hi everyone,
I have no words to express what I feel within, truly, touched as i am by all your affectionate regard and encouragement, I am overwhelmed. It isnt possible for anyone to express themselves creatively in a balanced way if the environment doesnt support it, and everyone of you has provided that for me.
As carl jung said.. The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
And its always seemed to me that this spiritual connection that draws two souls together is love at its highest and noblest. Its joyful, soothing, energising and transforming.
Love, mystic rose.
9:33 AM
As I read Mystic every time, I feel a sense of gratitude for the existence as her lines emanate from the very source of life, nature and motherhood. Sometimes, her poems make me think if she's an incarnate of Sufis like Rumi or Kabir or Bhakthas like Meera. So much love, beauty, feminity, tenderness.....
Thanks Nasra for your initiatives. This interview has helped me know more about Mystic
11:15 AM
mystic, congratulations! :) and nasra, you are wonderful for doing this! :)
2:30 AM
Everyone should see this.. http://www.project71.com/readme Enjoyy!
1:30 PM
Great post... I appreciate.. :)
10:29 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home