Wrinkled round faced ladies wrapped in beige
approach the stupa,
eyes closed.
Straighten, fold and flatten
like caterpillars
rise, repeat and circle.
Sublime chanting
punctuated by deep trumpet
echoes in the courtyard.
Peaceful purple and simple
monks welcome and provide
stability for a depressed community.
Humanity shines through solemnity
of the daily ritual
with yawns and baby giggles.
Buddha is honoured,
foreign money constructs another grand monastery
and rain leaks into tin shack homes.
the colours of Tibet flutter in the wind
an imaginary flag house on the hill.
Fifty years of exile
uncertain acceptance in an alien land
a nation cannot be erased.
t
Talshi Palkhel - Tibetan refugee settlement near Pokhara, Nepal
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