Image via Wikipedia

Soft, fuzzy baby elephants

rise up from the brown river.

Girls with tinkling gold charms

wound around their slender

brown ankles

gather in a glorious circle:

fine skirts of rainbow colors.

They came to hear the stories

of Avaiyar in the crystal morning.

Ripe sugar cane rustles

in orange spiced air;

a longing of the senses

for something sacred to hear.

Avaiyar tells her moral fables:

the girls nod in knowing delight.

Heart and mind are brought together

to achieve the clearest sight.

When the Temple bells ring,

the girls wave good bye.

The baby elephants blink,

they raise ankets of lotus  feet.

All sad to see Avaiyar leave

as she wanders all the night.