A long colourful serpentine queue <br />Of sincere and faithful devotees <br />Glides up the hill at snail’s pace <br />To spend a few precious moments <br />Paying homage to a miraculous deity <br />Lodged in the small temple <br />Atop a once beautiful hillock <br />Now shorn of its verdant beauty <br />Thanks to the trampling by <br />The many overzealous pilgrims <br />Anxiously trying to reach the top <br />By avoiding the beaten track <br /> <br />The base of the hill is home to <br />Enterprising hawkers and money makers <br />Always on the prowl to make a quick buck <br />They sell flowers, coconuts and other items <br />To be offered in the temple <br />Some even dare to advise the pilgrims <br />About the Goddess’ preferences <br />While the devotees display of faith is touching <br />The business acumen of the hawkers <br />Rises to another level altogether <br />For them 'Business is business' <br />Irrespective of the place or situation<br /><br />Sandra Martyres<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/business-is-business/
