the early morning sky
has bled out all over

the snug tiled roofs
and tranquillised gardens
of a Buddhist monastery

the air is a medley
with yellow and orange
shavings of sunlight

in the dormitory’s courtyard
well-bred leaves
are falling like penances

stone buildings stand mute
with only a monologue of prayer bells
sounding out each hour

in the commune kitchen
a group of young backpackers
eat their rice and fruit in silence
before their travels will take them
to      Thailand       Paris        Brazil

while outside a monk walks along
the path
chanting a mantra
journeying form one end of his world
to the other