LORD BUDDHA, painting by KISHOR KANAUJIYA, Nepal

 

(copyright dell'artista)

LINK: http://www.artbreak.com/Kishor%20Kanaujiya

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