In the Temple [Free Verse]

i enter an empty temple. 

it’s not silent.

footfalls resonate
&
floorboards creak.

but flickering flames
&
sleepy-eyed Buddhas
are quiet enough

in an hour,
the monks will filter in
with great punctuality:
monks, young and old.
(i would say, “and ages in-between,”
but they all seem young or old.)

there will be chanting,
and the din of finger cymbals
and deep-toned drums.

and i will leave
for the solace
of the world
outside the temple.

DAILY PHOTO: From Hill to Farm

Taken in March of 2014 at Nandi Hills

Giant Stag Beetle [Haiku]

giant stag beetle
with broken antler and limp
still freaks me out

DAILY PHOTO: Buddha & Fountain, Ravangla

Taken in May of 2022 in Ravangla, Sikkim

The Yetis’ Reply [Limerick]

A grouchy nitwit wrote a polemic
about how Yetis had caused the Pandemic.
The Yetis protested,
and kindly requested
the man ponder head-in-ass hygienics.

The Ottoman [Limerick]

There once was an indolent Turk
who was never around to do work.
With his makeshift footstool,
he'd snore & he'd drool.
They called his stool "the Ottoman" and smirk. 

A Horse Is a Horse… [Haiku]

i see a horse,
and hear a banjo tune,
but don’t imagine…

DAILY PHOTO: Trippy Graffiti, Bangalore

Taken on October 2, 2022 in Bangalore