Dharamsala Monsoon

It pours

we brave the rain

as do others

then fog

dancing among the trees

others dance as well

some enjoy the view

and some don’t give a damn

This young girl must work

carrying bricks

and cement

Madame runs her shop

mother and daughter come to buy

There is a respect for trees

interpreted diversely

sometimes abusively

they roar

undulate

and glow

There are lakes as well

with sea horses

swans

and water

at last

Sapna cleans the room

offerings are made

as Chuwar Rinpoche is coming for lunch

Then tea

and prayers

before another afternoon adventure

With prayers for all

Hotel Lockdown

It rains on our hotel

I photograph

It sometimes hails

turning all white

then clouds float by

Rinpoche is brave

our new friend visits

I photograph hotel plants

our fake ones too

Norbu Tsering cares for us

preparing Sunday momos

in his kitchen

exercise on the verandah

then tea

a teaching by His Holiness

and prayers resume

mine as well

before photographing more flowers

Good night

Dharamsala Lockdown

Morning moon

the street is empty

there are no donors

few people before the main gate

I buy our breakfast bread

no one buying vegetables

or taking taxis

even the tea stall is empty

a friend awaits an offering

as do his colleagues

a reminder

to be kind

Circumambulation

Down our little hill

the circumambulation begins

an opportunity to give

welcome

we each go our own way

influenced by the mantra of compassion

Om Mani Padme Hum

sometimes hidden

She sweeps the path, her son and friend in tow

the Buddhas delight in merit

more Om Mani Padme Hums

more circumambulators

flowers are offered

and prayer wheels spun

A lone Mani stone

and the climb begins

prayer flags flutter

we reach the level part

a last Om Mani Padme Hum

and home to where Rinpoche observes