Saffron Song

It was the longest procession
longest in Asia
or at least in memory
so they said
of this Esala that colored street
in the saffron of renunciation
the white of adherence,
calculable in feet
or other length-units
and of the more enduring march
from here to ultimate destination
none can stop and say
‘I’ve come this far
and I’ve only that far to go,’
or ‘the long journey is almost done’
but here on the street
and from pavement
there’s much to take
from smile
and from feet
that leave no print
but re-traces nevertheless
the word that liberates.

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Imagining the Buddha

Delicate is advocated practice

and truth let’s say resides

between grip and nonchalance

delicate is the hand that crafts

posture and countenance

in ways that inspire

ways that prompt reflection

delicate has to be the eye

to reproduce the unblemished

to obtain from granite

compassion unparalleled.

[Inspired by the line drawing of the Galvihara Buddha statue by Gamini Abeykoon]

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