Seven Steps

seven steps
around the sanctified fire,
ghee-seared smoke
veiling my eyes,
my red stained feet
following yours,
over blessed marigold petals
and auspicious turmeric rice,
chants sliding into the warmth
of your fingers over mine,

seven steps,
each a prayer,
a propitiation,
a purpose,
a pledge,
mirroring the universe’s motion,
circumambulating a life source,
atom and earth,
body and soul,

seven steps
to begin a journey,
seven steps
to fulfill seven births,
seven steps
to transcend the seven worlds,
seven steps
to get so far;

just one to turn away.

The Saptapadi, the Seven Steps taken by the bride and groom around the fire, is an important ritual performed during a traditional Hindu wedding.

For the midweek prompt at Poets United: “Commitment”