Saksi Gopal das: There were pagans and potheads
\nand Indian chiefs
\nThere were druids and hippies
\nand mounted police<\/p>\n
There were drinkers and smokers
\nand drummers galore
\nWho played on through the night
\ntill their fingers were sore<\/p>\n
There was dancing,while some stood
\naround on the grass.
\nSome huddled in blankets,
\nsome shouted and laughed.<\/p>\n
Some filmed the proceeding with
\nsmart mobile phones.
\nAs everyone gathered around
\nthe great stones<\/p>\n
That have witnessed the turning
\non Salisbury Plain
\nOf season and century,
\nsunshine and rain<\/p>\n
Witnessed chieftains and druids
\nand Celts offer thanks
\nWitnessed farmers and hippies
\nand soldiers in tanks<\/p>\n
Have seen tourists and picnickers,
\nbikers in leather
\nAnd ancient oak avenues
\npass into heather<\/p>\n
Seen wars and invasions,
\nthe triumph of thieves.
\nHave seen lovers and losers,
\nbut who could believe<\/p>\n
That the stones were now witness
\nto God’s holy name.
\nAs the chanters in saffron
\nagain and again<\/p>\n
Sang their mantra and danced
\nto the cymbal and drum.
\nThat the people here gathered
\nwould eagerly come<\/p>\n
To celebrate Krishna
\nRam and Hare,
\nAs they welcomed the sunrise,
\nOn Midsummer’s Day!
\n