PROMPT: Historical Event

What historical event fascinates you the most?

It varies over time. For a long time, it was the Second World War and the Holocaust. How do you get the rise of Nazis and the horrors that sprang therefrom? Sadly, I think that question has been answered to my — for lack of a better word— satisfaction.

The execution of Socrates has spurred a great deal of thought.

In terms of what is not so much a historical event, but historical processes, I’m intrigued by the life of Buddha.

Then there are a lot of explorer / adventurer travels.

Buddha Light [Free Verse]

Walking the ruins
   of some old Buddhist
   university,

I entered a chamber,
    and found myself
    confronting a Buddha,
    its head obscured by 
    a bolt of sunlight.

I thought it might be like
    one of those Angkor Wat
    crop tops from when Pol Pot
    had the heads chopped off 
    all the Buddhas to make 
    some quick cash.

But the head was intact, 
    just blotted out by blinding light,
    and I blinked my way into sight
    of that serene face.

DAILY PHOTO: Golden

Perspective Impossible [Haiku]

Buddha statue:
 what would its reflection 
  in my eyes look like?

Head in the Clouds [Haiku]

the Buddha's head
 is in blue sky - ringed by clouds,
  or so it seems.

DAILY PHOTO: Sunset at Kandy Lake

Plays No Favorites [Haiku]

sunlight breaks into
 the forest -- not favoring
  the tranquil yogi.

Buddha Still [Haiku]

Buddha is still;
the clouds wander...
one crow caws

DAILY PHOTO: Buddha & Fountain, Ravangla

Taken in May of 2022 in Ravangla, Sikkim

DAILY PHOTO: Seated Buddhas of Swayambhunath

Taken in May of 2018 in Kathmandu