GHAZAL FOR THE HOLY COW

                                    At Kashi one cremates to break the cycle

                                    The soul levitates to break the cycle

                                    Even a ruminant acts like a human model

For the cow liberates to break the cycle

Serving before self in deeds most humble

Desires she sublimates to break the cycle

Yields milk for curd to nourish her people

The cow lactates to break the cycle

What else delivers the street with fuel?

Hollow Horns faecates to break the cycle

Her dung slow-burns small balls of dal

Yes, the cow evacuates to break the cycle

To condition your hair with just a trickle

Freely she urinates to break the cycle

Assists last rites as the quick pyre crackles

Marigolds she masticates to break the cycle

Inspires the poor by simple example

These folk she elevates to break the cycle

And renders her hide for a leather article

Her life she terminates to break the cycle

Bequeathing her bones to dogs and jackals

Thus the cow testates to break the cycle

Offers offal to kites, off-cuts to eagles

The cow degenerates to break the cycle

The good life she lives, the sake of her soul

Her soul migrates to break the cycle

Joining the godhead of suffering animals

The cow celebrates to break the cycle

To attain nirvana, will karma enable?

The cow incarnates to break the cycle

                                               Michael Small

March 21-30, 2009