a man pulling a rickshaw plump with bananas

struggles & stalls at the base of the hill.

two men passing by fall in behind &

lean into it;

a third on a motorcycle pulls up alongside

& pushes with an outstretched foot.

they are singing,

hare rama

rama rama

hare hare

back & back & back through the ages

& even now in the kali yuga

bananas & spirits beautifully lifted.

lakshman jhula, india, february 2001