Om Namah Shivaya …

From the street below

comes drifting

into my

scented room ...

to grow

& grow ...

the sound

of many voices

harmonious

in song,

unable at first

to comprehend ...

but then realizing

"Om Namah Shivaya"

is being repeated

over & over ...

a hymn of praise

from the mouths

& hearts

of women

& girls

to the Great

Lord Shiva,

& it will continue

all evening long.

Madurai, South India, 1977.