Abhanga

Abhanga is a form of devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthala also known as Vithoba. Abhangs were first sung by the Varkari saints like Tukaram. Tukaram in his native language, Marathi. Tukaram was a seventeenth century poet, who lived in a town named Dehu, which is located near modern day Pune. He was a popular poet and was a leading figure in the Varkari Movement of the time, that sought to put the emphasis back on devotion and love towards God, in contrast to blind obedience of rituals and arcane religious practices.

The form is simply described:
four lines, with syllable counts of 6, 6, 6, 4, and lines 2 and 3 rhyming.


Incomplete

Soft waves of midnight hair
frame her dawning face,
eyes in submissive grace,
beauty silenced.
~ Judi Van Gorder

Magic Moments

There are books of magic,
we love Harry Potter,
me and my granddaughter.
"Read it, Grandma."
~ Judi Van Gorder