DAILY PHOTO: Wat Phramahathat Rajbovoravihane, Luang Prabang

DAILY PHOTO: Black Stupa, Vientiane

That Dam Stupa (no, that is not a misspelling of a vulgarity)

They say that a seven-headed Naga lives inside and has protected Laos from a Siamese invasion. (But, I did not see said Naga, and can give no testament.)

DAILY PHOTO: Naga & Water Lilies, Wat Don Muang

Image

DAILY PHOTO: Wat Sensoukharam by Night

DAILY PHOTO: Wat Sisaket, Vientiane

Library
Courtyard

Gold [Free Verse]

I wonder how the Buddha 
would feel about always being
depicted in Gold?

If the desire that he warned
about had color, surely
it would be Gold.

Nobody has ever murdered
over teal or mauve or cornflower
(heated words with
contractors notwithstanding)
but Gold's body-count is staggering.

Helen's puny thousand ships have
been multiplied over by orders
of magnitude for the cause of Gold.

I think the Buddha, looking at his
reflection in one of those well-
polished Gold statues would say,
"Did I teach you nothing?"

DAILY PHOTO: Buddha Park, Vientiane

DAILY PHOTO: Chua Phat Tich Temple, Vientiane

DAILY PHOTO: Wat Naxao Sukharam

DAILY PHOTO: Wat Lat Krabang