Empty abbot’s meeting room
my altar
prayers
Suresh who keeps me fed
his spotless kitchen
Lunch
moi?
the roof garden
dancing trees
and pirouettes
I venture out
circumambulate
admire our environment
encourage new growth
the banyan tree is doing well
so is the bamboo
though palms are suffering
shriveling in the harsh heat
Some survive
Electricians visit
our transformer has burned out
I visit the monks rooms, meet new incarnations
much morning memorization
Drepung Monastery is locked up behind us
each finds his quiet spot
wherever
to concentrate
and memorize
I pass the incense burner
and find George who keeps us on the straight and narrow
our temple keeper prepares offerings
then lunch
we keep our social distance
walk through the kitchen
to be served
then out to the debating pavilion
and behind the temple
to visit the dancing trees
admired from above
They’re grand
and graceful
How fortunate we are!