Vishnu's Dream - Poem #94

In my rear view mirror
a vision of Saladin entering Jerusalem
while fighting Cambyses returns from Egypt
with gold, ivory and slaves.

A Roman legion lost in the desert
the man-god Alexander spilling blood
from Thebes to India
an image of the smiling face of Anne Boleyn.

The moon is shining
on the Santa Maria
and while the Sioux are dancing with ghosts
the Mahdi prays outside Khartoum

Each of us has many parts to play.

I was a Fool who played the lute
a brick layer, a sail maker
a stone mason at Amarna
I was the shriveled man with swollen belly
propping open the temple door.

I buried a Roman legionaire
with balm and special markings
coins for his eyes
to pay the ferry man for crossing.

I am driving in this procession
only in Vishnu’s dream
my life a dimly lit unseen star
in Krishna’s mouth.

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