Monk's shaved pate

Monk's shaved pate

thick pelt around edge

leans over book

                              leans over book above river

reciting lines, reading scriptures, preparing

first for his personal salvation, then

for those of other men.

                                          He prays, sweetly

                                          serenely, steadfastly

                                          participating

in the broad rhythmic thrusting of the river

and the earth.

                        Completely exposed

                  to its vibration

      he vibrates passively

yet passionately

putting effort into remembering some

      of the ancient, past taboos

                  and practices

                        Performing

the art of total presence

and abstinence.

                        Absent from worldly

                                    life, abstaining wholly

                                          from touching

                                                the black girl

                                          becoming

                                    part of her beads

                        her sweaty underwear

commanding a full dress view

            of her stimulus,

                  her honey.