Chapter 72

           TwoPoemsfromanAshraminIndia

           First

           Allthistalkofnectarandblississtartingtopissmeoff.

           Idon’tknowaboutyou,myfriend,

           butmypathtoGodain’tnosweetwaftofincense.

           It’sacatsetlooseinapigeonpen,

           andI’mthecat-

           butalsothemwhoyelllikehellwhentheygetpinned.

           MypathtoGodisaworker’suprising,

           won’tbepeacetilltheyunionize.

           Theirpicketissofearsome

           theNationalGuardwon’tgonearthem.

           Mypathwasbeatenunconsciousbeforeme,

           byasmallbrownmanInevergottosee,

           whochasedGodthroughIndia,shin-deepinmud,

           barefootandfamined,malarialblood,

           sleepingindoorways,underbridges-ahobo.

           (Whichisshortfor"homewardbound,"youknow)

           Andhenowchasesme,saying:"Gotityet,Liz?

           WhatHOMEWARDmeans?WhatBOUNDreallyis?"

           Second

           However.

           Ifthey’dletmewearpantsmadeoutofthe

           fresh-mowngrassfromthisplace,

           I’ddoit.

           Ifthey’dletmemakeout

           witheverysingleEucalyptustreeinGanesh’sGrove,

           Iswear,I’ddoit.

           I’vesweatedoutdewthesedays,

           workedoutthedregs,

           rubbedmychinontreebark,

           mistakingitformymaster’sleg.

           Ican’tgetfarenoughin.

           Ifthey’dletmeeatthesoilofthisplace

           servedonabedofbirds’nests,

           I’dfinishonlyhalfmyplate,

           Thensleepallnightontherest.