Written in Espanola, NM on 5 March, 1995

The dark of the morning had gently begun

Pushing back the night to make way for the Sun,

The wetness of the marble and the cold of the night

Filled me with joy and my heart beat with delight!

I walked with the Master, his hand on my arm,

With the Love of the Guru keeping us warm.

The sounds of the kirtan hung in the air

While in the trees, the birds recited their prayer,

“Quickly, bring the prasad,” I heard him say,

Then he released my arm and I skidded away.

I slipped toward the counter (not wanting to be late)

For a hundred rupees of prasad, which filled the steel plate.

With the treasure in my hand, my feet moved fast,

I touched forehead to marble, then through the gate I passed.

I gave my receipts to the sevadar (he counted them all),

Then I scurried and slipped forward, trying not to fall.

I quickly crossed the bridge, moving through the crowd,

Then stopped before the door and at the threshold I bowed.

I crossed the threshold and stepped into the Light,

Then handed the prasad to the sevadar on my right,

I bowed to the Manji, where Guru would soon sit,

Then went around to the back and took a quick sip,

I moved to the side and looked through the door,

But there was nowhere to sit on that crowded floor.

Safely he sat in that space, so tight,

He was covered securely to the left and right

So, I sat outside, my back to the rail,

And for a few peaceful moments, let my mind sail.

The strains of the kirtan and the hum of the crowd

Played the morning raga, with my head in the clouds.

Then something happened, that I can’t quite explain,

For through the crowd and the kirtan I was hearing my name,

I opened my eyes and looked all around

But I couldn’t identify the source of the sound.

So I closed my eyes and lowered my chin,

But, before I was set, I heard it again.

Softly, like water flowing over stones,

Guru was calling, welcoming me home.

I felt joy in my soul and was almost overcome,

When straight through it all came the sound of the drum!

Powerful and strong, challenging the night,

It awakened the morning to Guru’s light.

Soon there was movement and the sound of the horn

And a rush to the palanquin on which Guru was borne,

I rose to my feet, my heart raced in my breast,

And moved to the Guru for the chance to be blest,

I moved through the crowd, Guru was coming straight,

Then slipped under the rail and shouldered the weight.

Only a few, brief steps were all I was allowed,

Then someone stepped in and I merged with the crowd,

The sound of the bugle continued to blow

As the voices of the sangat continued to grow,

I returned to my place as Guru entered in

And gave thanks to be on that cold marble again.

Gurutej Singh Khalsa is a yogi, warrior, businessman, poet, healer, and teacher. For 35 years he studied Kundalini Yoga and the teachings of the Sikhs from his teacher Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, aka Yogi Bhajan (1929 – 2004). As a trained law enforcement officer, Gurutej was a personal bodyguard and aide to Yogi Bhajan and traveled the world with him. He is the Founder of Akal Security, Inc., which he grew from a small start-up business in his living room to the largest privately held security services contractor in the United States and largest provider of protective services to the U.S. Government. Gurutej is a respected and recognized teacher, speaker, healer, and counsellor in his own right and has taught Kundalini Yoga, the science of meditation, and the teachings of the Sikhs all over the world. In 2001 he published a book of poetry, Children of the Cusp, about his experiences as a student on the spiritual path under the guidance of a great teacher. In 2014 he published his moving and inspiring novel RAJNI, which was awarded the Gold Seal of Literary Excellence. Drawn from myth, legend, and historical events and the first of a trilogy,RAJNI is a deeply moving epic about the powers of love, sacrifice, and the elevation of the soul. Gurutej Singh lives in Singapore with his wife and son. Click here to purchase a copy of Children of the Cusp