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Steps Leading to a Shrine
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bishuburp Stairs Leading to a Shrine
lastdayofmarch2017©bishu
Worn with time the rough-hewn steep stone stairs
Forty-six of them scalding hot under midday sun
Each step three feet long and only five inches wide
On one side a steep hillside beggars on the other
One has to be careful not to step on grimy sheets
Arms outstretched holding dented aluminium bowls
Kindly souls drop coins – the merry clangs resound
Pilgrims bring loose change with them while visiting
They know that the hungry beggars would be waiting
Be careful pilgrim else you may sprain your ankle
Remember you must climb ere stars begin to twinkle
Under darkness of night the path becomes perilous
Sometimes thundershowers come without warning
Beggars have umbrellas patched but not for sharing
Hapless silent pilgrims get drenched to the skin
They’ve a feeling “God has washed away my sin”
The stone sculpture inside the shrine smiles
Three shops do roaring business selling sweets
Three other shops sell garlands ,coconuts,banana
One lone shop caters to the visitors soft drinks
After the rituals are over on plastic chairs sinks
The stairs now feel much more steep downward
Beggars don’t even look at you-they look upward
Beggars don’t even look at you-they look upward
Beggars
I saw a young woman standing by the freeway ramp in San Diego begging for spare change to feed her kids. Is that the bottom rung of the ladder? Yes, I gave her the spare change out of my pants pocket through our car window as we went up the ramp. She'll be there again tomorrow, no doubt.
My Secret River
What an outing with a
What an outing with a difference bishu. A lovely picture you conjured up for us, the reader, a beautiful scene. I liked the part of the poem when the pilgrims are left to "wash away their sins" in the rain rather than the begars share their patched umbrella's with them. Lovely read bishu - a good insight into your customs as well.
http://www.postpoems.org/authours/a.griffiths57
Thank you Respected Anita
This is a common scene. I tried to wordify.
©bishu
this is a very
this is a very nice portray
the black background make it more realistic
Thanks for reading
Thanks Mr Muneer
©bishu
Absolute Rubish!
MORE! MORE! Steep steps, shrine, vendors, and beggars, and weather - sounds like a pilgrimage on foot. Good exercise and the soul is satisfied. Thanks for taking us with you, Bishu. - allets -