Italy

Holiday in Tuscany

some effort is exerted

a swim

a walk

lunch

an evening drink

and a drive to Lucca

for some fun

and a visit to the anfiteatro

Bruno has looked after us well

we stop in Pisa

then home to the dog

little outings

around the neighborhood

with stops for holy coolth

and home

to rest

then, saved by Salvator Mundi

after a bump on the head

much rest

the fruit is ripe

Sandra returns

and exhibits her devotion

Rome To See My Father

I go to Rome

to see my father

who turns 96 in a few days

He’s prepared

determined

enthusiastic, with Sandra at his side

well fed

rested

and fit

They’re constantly on the move

He likes to read

and tea with the professor

I go for walks

along the Tiber

I light a candle to Sant' Antonio

and breakfast with the Walking Photographer

who teaches me the 28

Closer!

I try

though not like Eolo

then home

Ah, Rome

a blessed place!

Journey to Dirang

I fly to Guwahati

on the banks of the Brahmaputra

then drive to Arunachal Pradesh

to meet our administrators

Jesus has blessed the area

as has Tibet

elders are pious

the young are chic

It’s a simple place

basics

His Holiness has visited

bestowing the Kalachakra initiation in 1983

I visit the home of my young student

And then we meet our donors

before the official

to receive a gift

Stamped!

Our escort leads us

to a hill top

where we celebrate

and then descend

taking all our things

to visit the temple we have been given

its altar

all have been kind

though firm

and then we say goodby

Bodhgaya

In the Indian state of Bihar

lies Bodhgaya

where the Buddha attained enlightenment

There are many Buddhas in Bodhgaya

and many people too

This is the tree the Buddha sat and meditated under

He then taught

We must study

and contemplate

to then meditate

we each practice in our own way

Some make offerings

others spin their MANI wheels

Someone must cook

and sweep

so we can make our way along our path

So many have hard times

a smile helps

however we must each work to cut through our ignorance

and arrive at enlightenment

so we can help those who cannot help themselves