heart pounding

the daijokyo temple is the last temple on temple road!
directly across the path..right outside my window,
is an 80 foot buddha statue made from sandstone...
around it are 10-12 smaller statues..buddha's disciples.

when i reached the guest house yesterday,
i was greeted by kiran lama-la who offered me
an entire cake in the shape of a heart!
it tasted alot like sallie's pound cake..
this one with cherries soaked in brandy for added flair!

i saved a few choice slices then gave the rest away to
all those who i see along my path each day..

sunjai is my water and cough drop stop..
his smile really is as brilliant as the sun..
last night in the gloaming under a smoky moon,
i heard his voice wave me a happy christmas..

the mother and daughter team who live on the street..
the daughter dutifully yet o so lovingly
oiling and combing mataji's hair..

the guard at the ATM stand..

the young boy and his friend
who sold me a map of india..
i was his very first customer..or so he said!

the men who sweep the buddha statue grounds
with such grace you imagine they are tai-chi masters..

...and all the rest..
beggars on the streets, a nun or a monk..
a rickshaw driver..

the very rickshaw driver that i changed places with..
here the rickshaws are cycles;
the drivers are men who seem ancient!
they have legs as big around as my wrists
but are as strong as the water buffaloes on the roadside..

i always walk to the temple but this particular morning,
i decided to climb on the cycle myself and give the driver a ride..
of course, i would pay him the 10 rupees.
his 'shaw was a mish-mash of chains and pedals and spokes.
i had to keep using the brakes
just to keep the tires going in a straight line..
it got to be too much..so i turned it over to him..
10 rupees too!

we had a good heart laugh and a pound of cake!
christmas cake..butter, sugar and the bright light of spring!