a body; fragments of chennai

lives brush by;
smile unhidden
childlike curious stare,
harsh glare
laughter drifts in embrace
thin as air,
touches tears wept shamelessly fallen in care
to bathe shrouded a body; token

senses ride;
tides buffeting
reeling are borne,
crests a storm
to wed brazenly proud and forlorn,
are shorn
imagination no refuge, too worn
to clothe a body; outspoken

heart does cry;
in act gracious
amidst endless need,
sewn seed
ritual offer a flourish in deed,
guiding creed
among glittering treasures does bleed
and comfort a body; broken

spirit flies;
called to prayer
waving colored cloth yearns,
wheels in turn
chant does battle in play and concern,
seeks return
rising free of vain struggle to learn
the dance a body; bespoken

released sigh;
ebbs electric
mute tension does sing,
air clings
cool rains cleansing of torrents do spring,
dawning brings
past and future surrendered all things
to revive a body; unwoven

night draws nigh;
beaten earth
heavens lazy afire,
smoke spirals
hearts and minds barter thoughts for a while,
coins piled
in companionships worth paid in tithe,
toiled endless long days forgotten, smiles
wash a body; awoken