"The symbol of peace" by Kishor Kanaujiya, Nepal. Poem by Aeronwy Thomas, UK

                           

Link:  http://www.touchtalent.com/artist/14372/kishor-kanaujiya

 

 

 

                        MONASTERY IN SHASTA

 

 

 

As you say, Ann,

 

 Buddhas were my thing

 

long ago

 

in flower power days

 

we strewed petals

 

to honour him

 

sat in a lotus-like squat

 

and emptied our minds.

 

No mantras, no noise,

 

no distraction

 

only Buddha

 

on his plinth and us

 

with our backs to him

 

our bottoms raised

 

on kapok cushions,

 

contemplating the wall.

 

Buddha took no offence

 

and finally broke

 

the shackles

 

in my mind

 

eased my aching joints

 

and made me –

 

just by his wooden–

 

tranquillity -

 

and would break free

 

from all that grief.

 

 

                                      AERONWY  THOMAS

 

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