Ode to India

India, land of contradictions

where the holy and the material

sacred and filthy

worshipped and untouchable

are next door

Absurd traffic

ubiquitous cow dung

black staring eyes

a hundred angry languages

hungry, barefoot children tugging at your sleeve

fast talking shopkeepers

Fast, green rivers

stoic, wise mountains

wide smiles, greetings for all

namaste! jule! tashi delek!

Swamis wrapped in orange

self-proclaimed masters of meditation

The enlightenment is subtle

no great awakening

just small pearls of wisdom

Travel does that to you,

no matter where you go

broadens the mind

narrows the focus

foreign or familiar

happiness is right here.