Alive and Living in this Body

Naked, untouched by chains or bands or cloth,

Breathed deep of parana's cord

alive in Sushumma's vacuous life-gorge

nostrils aflair as the gates of mighty rivers,

In silence and awareness

I am awash in the breath of earth-ecstasy!

Stretched and curved and, taut sprung

Spinning and sliding of rippled purr

I contort to the mat and wall and floor

unabashed like lion-cat

Glorying in thanks, and knowing You,

I am alive and living in this body.

(10 October '79)