I’m riding the Kerala highway with Fr. Thomas
the Indian Orthodox priest who is driving
in his white cassock and honking his horn
at rickshaws and sacred cows criss-crossing
the road as we pass over the Pampa River
that connects the people and land
with Christian, Muslim and Hindu churches
mosques, temples and shrines
while listening to Elvis singing
“Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes”

1/15/07