Meanwhile back in the month of Padmanabha
Guru Maharaja's vyasa puja was next to come
Seamstress looked at Srimati Gandharvika's skirt
according to plan it was done
describing it to murka pujari
before it was unveiled to the devotee society
she was concerned it might look like
it was going up too far or too limp
so far from expectations
of how she wanted it to be
making a sound that caused Murka to laugh
leis today of roses and petals
simply amazing! Exclaimed one and all
as I take off for pedaling joined by Cycle Babble
we began a spin with jotish at the ready
to keep peace with all the beasts
when the sun had gone away
so they don't come after the two pedalers on the run
as we cross the sunny cove to the harbor
we see all those out to play
seeing how other pedalers have also shed winter gear today
going about in a streamlined way
crossing the natasala line hoping to leave the dark behind
but still the daylight fades as the hour chimes
stealing colors from our eyes
we show the jotish to compensate for the setting sun
now the ratha-bhojana-vrksa call is clear
in it's present tense
so now Cycle Babble takes leave
as if he's the only pedaler with that sense
going away through the narrow lane
in the treacherous triangle plane
joining kalarupa at the mrga bhavana
they hammer on
to be welcomed by the bunnies
as well as wunderkind reading the funnies
in the nightdress asking the question
is it tomorrow or just the end of time
the thakuras dancing enjoyment is so prime
the butter fluttered by and said
“take me in hand I'll get you home
it's to a forest I will take you
where every bird beast and tree
is a unique personality”
upon arriving we saw those words were true
for all the forest had become a symphony
playing silly little tunes
all conducted by Griidhari's bamboo flute
and even Srimati Gandhravika's sari
covered in sequins twinkling like Christmas lights
topped by her mukut of gold jari
leis 3derful of roses, mums and bells of green hue
pedaling in the afternoon how much fun for us to see
it was to the hook and opal beach
sufferer thakura within reach
lighthouse and steamer's alley
behind a pace line Cycle Babble and I staged a rally
catching up to their wheels
one for the highlight reel
at beach hill there is new construction
where once were scores of mountain me
they've now slipped into reduction
disappearing inside the high rise
down to the natasala
and treacherous triangle
where the ratha-bhojana-vrksa calls
about how the people of faith need Cycle Babble to haul
back for vaikalika offering
later in the evening it's a miracle mom
the quickness the seamstress was able to rely on
pulling this one together in twelve nights or even less
purple and gold
purple and gold
we'll leave the ordinary out in the cold
with the winter season here
warmer outfits appear
silver panels in this skirts rupa
puffed out by a sturdy hoop
parrot belt and “shake sharped earrings” for Sri Giridhari
tosses memory back to the Janmastami party
this one came with Mahaprabhu in white kirta and purple dhoti
now the flowers try to hide
so each day's a campa hatti ride
petals leaves and funny things
give the leis a special zing
purple pink and yellow above
maker called them “leis of love”
following a pace line that enfolds us
pedalers so strong and race fit
pull us over the first highway
sprinting untiring selves
through the sunny cove and between the lakes
soon they disappear off in the distance
while Cycle Babble and I spin in their slipstream
hearing ratha-bhojana-vrksa calling
pedaling right past the fixed gear folks
and the Mercado de las pulgas
round the southland to check Cyrus' thoroughfare
talk with a few friends we find there
then meeting kalarupa at the mrga bhavana
indefatigably sprinting to the kusa grass and beyond
where the Kernel of divine love greets Cycle Babble
with “isn't too dark for you to travel?”
he answers by flashing his jotish into his eyes
till the Kernel is satisfied
black brown and red outline
designs of a Phoenix are so fine
for dancing all night long
while the flute plays the raga all night long
dressed the thakuras in this beige outfit
made the devotees think of the foam on ghee
rusty colored flowers with avocado green leaves
rusty orange effulgence over their heads
leis of roses and petals folded
yellow ones looked like butter too
murka showed petals during arati
while devotees looked on with glee
wispy chiffon chodders floated lightly
as they danced swirling free
pedaling out to beat the darkness
first corner marks a mile
the team in training offers inspiration
as Cycle Babble and I keep up they turn to smile
whoa going by the lion's park
the jotish dispels the dark
skaters atop their hill
pirouette in front of beasts for a quick thrill
sprinting faster to the hook
on to the sunny cove for one last look
pelicans pointing the way home
while the ratha-bhojana-vrksa is chanting om
going over the first highway
getting back before the last light of day
meeting kalarupa under the famous tree
breaking to a hammer Cycle Babble gets back on count of three
it's wunderkind to do the greeting with a healthy grin
shank blows as stars appear the sandhya begins
oh the thakuras have had a busy day
now their day clothes are put away
soft yellow silk with gold trim
the nightdress called Hiranya Kasipu again
they dance away the over night
till mangal arati when they bring all for their sight