Mirabai – a poem by John Copley Alter

Mirabai


Your fragrant devotion—charcoal
fire—sandalwood incense burning—

through a long winter inspires me—
each moment tossed into the flame—

each moment a note from the flute
player—handwritten—you find strewn

like flowers when the bridegroom
comes—how—when sunset comes—
			your heart

restlessly begins to hum hymns
of desire—it is becoming

clear—a clearing—your tent pitched—fire
wood gathered—each moment kindling

you offer—prasad—beloved
you sing—come now

John Copley Alter is an elderly foreigner.