It’s been a while

From Rome

to Paris

to see friends

their creations

and enjoy the beauty

Then on to New Jersey where I settle in

to Kunkhyab Thardo Ling - The Tibet Center, as per Rinpoche’s instruction

Tony has maintained the Center

with Darren’s help

I venture into NYC

to see my brother

my step brother and his wife

my fellow photographer

and monk

and Wade, our lawyer friend

I’m happy to return to New Jersey

to my new pall, Buddy

to tend my garden

and welcome Serkonk Tsenshab Rinpoche

I visit Geshe Yeshi Lhundup and his student

and spend a weeked by the sea

where Nuno cooks

Then fall arrives

I must move on

to share some time with my Papa

He eats well

works hard

hangs out with palls

& pallettes

and puts up with my camera

It’s been a pleasure

now time to move on

back to the holy land, Bharat Mata

Arrivederci Roma

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