The lubrication
of the bicycle
of Gulam Singh,

Requires this holy
practice each and
every morning:

The chain is bathed
in Ganges’ water
to purge impurity;

The bell adorned
with honey sweet
for singing melody;

The tyres fanned
with incensed air,
of ardour they are full;

So Gulam may grind
and creak on a perfect
bicycle.

(published in Quarry; A Selection of Western Australian Poetry. Ed. Fay Zwicky. Fremantle Arts Centre Press)