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Biography
Namaste
Sonya Ki Tomlinson, American artist, writer, poet was born January 21, 1948 in Queens, NY of Jamaican, West Indian parents. Sonya Ki and her four siblings enjoyed an adventurous, imaginative childhood. Surrounded by aging colonial mansions, post WWII housing projects, and New York's East River, there was always something to explore.
In her whimsical poem, "Vivi and Our Gang", she describes some of these childhood exploits and memories.
Vivi and Our Gang
We shared the same bunk bed
in the tiny Astoria projects apartment
I laugh to myself recalling the 3 AM singing sessions
we crooned right along with the Bradshaw brothers
stocking caps plastered to their heads
doo-wopping on the benches below
beautiful voices framing the cold,
unforgiving, angular brick buildings and ghetto nights
Sis, you were my head pall bearer
shouldering the shoe-box casket
along with an odd collection of project kids
forming a procession up 27th avenue
towards the green steeple church on the hill
solemnly we laid Pixie the cat to rest
"Last Looks" I quipped before lowering the box
she had accidentally slipped out of the window
and was not as lucky as Winston Parks
a young toddler who had fortunately
landed in the bushes
when our newborn twin brothers, Chris and Pat
surprised our parents bringing the count to 5 siblings
I officially became the 2nd mom
a reluctant teen, my head buried in a book
simultaneously rocking a twin carriage and stroller
LOL...seems like only yesterday we were camped out
in apartment #6B planning all sorts of mischief
now there is a pile of little shoes next to my door
and the next generation trudging in
with water pistols, bubbles and coloring books
Sonya Ki began painting and composing poetry in her early twenties and after college she exhibited her artwork and participated in poetry readings throughout the New York area.
During the birth of her daughter at age 22, she had an amazing out-of-body-experience which catapulted her out of ordinary three dimensional awareness into an astounding, metaphysical reality which she knows survives and surpasses death, misery, joy, materialism and all that is dualistic and worldly. A space of being in which Pure Love, Life and Light exists Eternally. This event inspired her to explore the intriguing inner realms of Self through Yoga, Meditation, Rosicrucianism and other spiritually laden paths. You can read more about this experience in her book, "Sai Rapture", P.17.
In 1990 she began having incredible encounters with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sathya Sai Baba is a Universal Teacher, Healer, Visionary and much more. His incredible, paranormal, miracles and teachings are truly breath taking and transformational. Sathya Sai Baba began visiting her in dreams, offering guidance and real counsel. This led to many trips to India and within on an amazing pilgrimage that continues to this day. Sathya Sai Baba became a crucial, vital part of her life as He revealed His tremendous love, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.
Sonya Ki's work is a visual and poetic diary of her spiritual journey. She has written two books. The first, "Sai Rapture, The Ecstatic Journey of a Modern Day Gopi" portrays her spiritual journey. The second book, "108 Bhakti Kisses, The Ecstatic Poetry of a Modern Day Gopi" is a garland of poems celebrating the divine in everything.
Sonya Ki Tomlinson is a remarkable, inspiring artist and writer whose blossoming spirituality radiates from her poetry and paintings. You will surely fall in love with her and her beautiful, enchanting creative works.
Sonya Ki Tomlinson, American artist, writer, poet was born January 21, 1948 in Queens, NY of Jamaican, West Indian parents. Sonya Ki and her four siblings enjoyed an adventurous, imaginative childhood. Surrounded by aging colonial mansions, post WWII housing projects, and New York's East River, there was always something to explore.
In her whimsical poem, "Vivi and Our Gang", she describes some of these childhood exploits and memories.
Vivi and Our Gang
We shared the same bunk bed
in the tiny Astoria projects apartment
I laugh to myself recalling the 3 AM singing sessions
we crooned right along with the Bradshaw brothers
stocking caps plastered to their heads
doo-wopping on the benches below
beautiful voices framing the cold,
unforgiving, angular brick buildings and ghetto nights
Sis, you were my head pall bearer
shouldering the shoe-box casket
along with an odd collection of project kids
forming a procession up 27th avenue
towards the green steeple church on the hill
solemnly we laid Pixie the cat to rest
"Last Looks" I quipped before lowering the box
she had accidentally slipped out of the window
and was not as lucky as Winston Parks
a young toddler who had fortunately
landed in the bushes
when our newborn twin brothers, Chris and Pat
surprised our parents bringing the count to 5 siblings
I officially became the 2nd mom
a reluctant teen, my head buried in a book
simultaneously rocking a twin carriage and stroller
LOL...seems like only yesterday we were camped out
in apartment #6B planning all sorts of mischief
now there is a pile of little shoes next to my door
and the next generation trudging in
with water pistols, bubbles and coloring books
Sonya Ki began painting and composing poetry in her early twenties and after college she exhibited her artwork and participated in poetry readings throughout the New York area.
During the birth of her daughter at age 22, she had an amazing out-of-body-experience which catapulted her out of ordinary three dimensional awareness into an astounding, metaphysical reality which she knows survives and surpasses death, misery, joy, materialism and all that is dualistic and worldly. A space of being in which Pure Love, Life and Light exists Eternally. This event inspired her to explore the intriguing inner realms of Self through Yoga, Meditation, Rosicrucianism and other spiritually laden paths. You can read more about this experience in her book, "Sai Rapture", P.17.
In 1990 she began having incredible encounters with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sathya Sai Baba is a Universal Teacher, Healer, Visionary and much more. His incredible, paranormal, miracles and teachings are truly breath taking and transformational. Sathya Sai Baba began visiting her in dreams, offering guidance and real counsel. This led to many trips to India and within on an amazing pilgrimage that continues to this day. Sathya Sai Baba became a crucial, vital part of her life as He revealed His tremendous love, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.
Sonya Ki's work is a visual and poetic diary of her spiritual journey. She has written two books. The first, "Sai Rapture, The Ecstatic Journey of a Modern Day Gopi" portrays her spiritual journey. The second book, "108 Bhakti Kisses, The Ecstatic Poetry of a Modern Day Gopi" is a garland of poems celebrating the divine in everything.
Sonya Ki Tomlinson is a remarkable, inspiring artist and writer whose blossoming spirituality radiates from her poetry and paintings. You will surely fall in love with her and her beautiful, enchanting creative works.