Love Poem For a Country

big bright black eyes and oiled hair
she adjusts her dupatta oblivious
to small, dirty hands reaching out
onerupee onerupee
hello, onerupee

step out of plastic sandals
to worship with marigold petals
at the feet of Krishna, Shiva, Lakshmi
this is your Karma
you earned it

thick air and sweat
rattle over grimy tracks
chai! chai! chai! wakes every station
old Auntie reaches out
smiles me a mango

milk for my baby
coins from your country
very best guide
you like henna tattoo
Psst. fucking... fucking?

no mother, no father, no husband
wailing echoes through the market
yeah, me neither
that's why I'm here
have another bhang lassi

white girl with dreads asks me
where's the sitar and the tabla
where's Ravi Shankar and higher consciousness
where's the real India?

Psst. you're soaking in it.