Thanking the Devil

Thanking the Devil
You and I are crossing and counting
the upturned slabs of the precincts of
the temple with the ruling deities,
the cracks in the redbrick peeping walls,
unwiped, augmented saffron marks,
bespeak of the decor and devotion,
in the ageless, uncared construction,
our visits are a daily routine and ritual,
immersed in the sacred waters of
unstinted faith and devotion,
stabbing enemies are stabbing and stabbing
at the back, smiling smiling,
the ultimate mounting mysteries
Unraveled, unlocked,
Allahuddin’s lamp glows, in the
Surrounding dark.
How often we crossed the long ropes
Carefully fearing to be snakes,
We thank the harrowing devils
for making us cling to God.