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 situationbr br Sandra Martyresbr br