Geranium, she says, 'Over there!' and I say,
'Where?' walking on. Silver Princess. Lavender.
'By the light of the fisherman's hut, I swear I saw
a shadow.' Bush Iris. Bottlebrush. Red Lily
and She Oak down the winding path to sea.
She's wearing orange oil and frankincense,
yesterday's scent a shade undercut. Fringed Violet,
Mulla Mulla and Sundew to the sand where a woman
places garlands of mallow around a neck and hand.
10 Rupees drop into a shell pot, pestled chrysanthemum
10 Rupees drop into a shell pot, pestled chrysanthemum
compress, jasmine fresh and she anoints their foreheads
with powders, passes her hand across their shoulders,
says something… a blessing of salt, water, and all
I can smell is the blossoming air of the sea.
Goa
2006
edited