Sheep Trafficking

  

While shepherds watched their traffic lamb,

their bleating hot wool caravan

poured ‘tween vehicles like traffic jam

through thorn bordered lanes

with resistant strains

of motorbikes

that traffic ram

Stressed?

My skin’s getting pale

My bum’s getting fat

My razor’s gone blunt

But who will see that?

South Indian Dosa¹

and multi-cuisine

always a Thali²

But nothing that’s lean



Its too bright to read

Its too hot to walk

Its OK for drinking

But nothing here’s corked



A shalwar cameez³

or t-shirt and pants

my skin craves the sun

But men more than glance



Cheaper by sleeper

and quicker by train

none of it bothers

my super-chilled brain.

¹Pancake made from rice flour

²A regional all-you-can-eat set meal

³Tunic and trouser suit …normally with matching shawl/scarf

Wormcatching

Four thirty ay em

bubbling bus stand

who knows where I am?

who cares, the air's

delightful

Six oh five ay em

Meditation space

where did my thoughts go?

right here, so near

just resting

Four fifteen ay em

Train breaks squeal

Is this my station?

next stop, set clock

more sleep

Five twenty ay em

Power cut face wash

Where's the mirror?

mascara, pallaver

by torchlight

Six ten ay em

black sand beach

Is this where we stood?

newly wed, future ahead

footprints gone

Three fifty ay em

Murky bathroom squat

what wrong did I eat?

too late, flood gate

rehydrate!

Six forty ay em

town centre stroll

can I keep this peace?

beep beep, rubbish sweep

Day'sbroken

Varanassssssssssssi Sundowner

Slop slap laundry

Sun fades orange, a

Sari Swirls

　

Snap Snap Tourists who

Squeal, squirm, laugh as

Soap Suds Splash

　

Shit Slip walkways where

Sadhus bathe on

Sacred banks

　

Sing song bells at

Skid n Slide Ghat, a

Sunset balcony view.

Varanasi Buzz

"Hello Boat Sir?"

"Yes you come from?"

"Boat trip best price"

"You want something?"

"Boating lady?"

"Boat Trip this way"

"Very cheap boat"

"Boat trip"

"Boat Trip"

"NO!"

...Mosquito Tout, Flicked away.