When You Die

(circa 1966)

Sun, sun,
Old sun,
Forbidden sun,
Celestial womb,
Blinding maidenhead
Seen only from the corner of the eye,
From which all things emerge,
To which all things eventually return,

Sun, sun,
Old sun,
Red, morning, evening sun,
How many heads have you rose and set upon?
Heads of my fathers,
Heads of my sons,
Eternal whore
Teaching each in turn!

Sun, sun
Old sun,
I've come to know you some.

When you die, sun,
How many loves die with you?

- Sitaram