Around The Stupa


 Round & Round everything moves

Surrounded by the circle of life

The sound of movement reverberates in all directions

It is everywhere

The scraping of feet

The flapping of birds flying in circles

The barking of dogs

The echo of bells and the clapping of hands hang in the air

The conversation of life and laughs

Blends in with the repeating of mantras

All as the rickety prayer wheels turn and squeak

 

 The Stupa

A place where all backgrounds of life converge

As layers of life separate and merge

A sea of monk’s robes streams out from surrounding monasteries

As beggars and cripples sit stationary with outstretched hands

Some people turn a blind eye to the blind

While others give compassionately give

A pregnant dog lies on the ground

As other dogs roam around

Locals, Tourists, Pilgrims, Street kids, Buddhists,

Hindus, Business men and Short Tibetan Grandmothers

All circumambulate

Under the all-seeing protective eyes of the Stupa

 

With different needs

Everyone walks at different speeds

Some go fast and some go slow

But even when you’re walking alone

Everyone moves together as one

With every step, offerings are made

Butter lamps are burned

Prostrations are made

And Selfie’s are taken

People eat from roof top restaurants

And gaze down at life in motion

As shops sell souvenirs

 

Malas are held and fingered

Heads are gently placed against walls and monuments

Wishes are made in the same breaths that mantras are recited

Smoke from the burning incense permeates the air

As it blesses those that walk through it

People sit in silence on benches

From the early morning until late

People come to circumambulate


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Different Colored Passport (A Privileged Colored Passport)

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Himalayan Yatra