Bed of Thorns …

In the middle of the street

just outside

the entrance

to an ancient temple 

sacred to Vishnu the Preserver,

Lay watchful

on a bed of thorns,

the blue-daubed body

of a young man.

Three horizontal lines

finger-tracked

on brow and limb,

marking his devotion

to the Mahayogi Shiva.

Upon his thin chest

colors luminescent

rested a framed picture

of the Creator and Destroyer

Of All Worlds,

dancing time

in splendorous activity

of foot, drum and fire,

& by his side

an old and battered 

metal bowl,

for collecting

the coins

given by passers-by.