David Paterson is the Chairman of SoF Steering Committee and a founder member of SoF Network. sof 71 May 2005 12 2 Nepal Poems Sadhu With scrip and scroll and begging bowl he moves among the multitude and like the cows, incarnate lords, is given a special latitude.
And while dogs howl and beggars prowl these clerks of Krishna and of Shiva sink in silence with the poor, walk in rapture of the gitas.
Kumari The only living goddess in the world seated on her chariot before the Indra festival procession, which represents the rise of Kundalini in Tantra. – postcard ‘The world’s only living Goddess’ or ‘A clear case of child abuse!’ claimed our pale protesting hostess.
In the deep pagoda courtyard-well the curious and believers stand: like a tenement of heaven or hell with its mausoleum smell. Taken very young, cloistered, locked away until puberty, then forsaken for few will ever love and marry a once-worshipped virgin, vestal who till menstruation was Kumari seen once a year in festive glory, rarely in between. Though I saw her at golden-sari’d window and am sticking to Her story.
Both poems are from Namaste: Nepal Poems by William Oxley (Hearing Eye, London 2004).