Now begins dawn
smeared with saffron and camphor
sacred ash and vermilion
offering petals of full-blown roses
as you glide
in an open-skied dream
over the red-earthed slopes of
Thirupathi
where storks fly high
and black peacocks live
Home to the patron of the mountain
lands
the Three-Pronged One with lotus-red
feet
and scarlet-leafed gleaming spear
