The forest of limitless green,
The spill of red blood,
The rite of sunrise,
White pantaloons to turn away the sun:
An elephant shuffles along
swaying side to side.
He is swathed in red.
The rider sways in his howdah.
His eyes squint at the Asian sun.
Somewhere in the forest
a sadhu is chanting.
Monkeys are silent.
The prince on his calm beast
follows a path much trodden.
The insects swarm
with indifference.
Categories:
howdah, imagery,
Form: Free verse