Pilgrim

Watch those vermilion garbs

Move with fury and cash.

Did you touch the holy garment? 

Now wash your hands

Before the shame

Reaches your chest.

Linger not here much longer.

Such tepid gazes work their ways in

Waging wars that are not theirs to be fought,

Cratering love, and the fingertips of peasants

Earthy nailbeds, beautiful and full

Dark and calloused, loud and pristine

Have mercy on us

O holy ones, who bathe daily

In religious canals

Sand green from the setting sun

Arise from the water,

O pious, penniless pilgrim

With gold from the catch:

Sandalwood and jasmine

Turmeric and marigold.

And wet, with the spry vigor

Spread the ashes of thy kin passed

With a thousand and one words

Sung a million and one times before