by Ron Shapiro
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| Photo by Ron Shapiro |
On the Metro towards DC, I feel
a sense of excitement and anticipation,
a call for peace, an invitation to reflect,
to be mindful, to remember who we are.
Arriving at the Lincoln Memorial over
looking the Reflecting Pool, I notice
the always steadfast Washington Monument
while the Capitol seems smaller today.
From my history of anti-war protests
towards the government and its reckless
policies, I wanted to experience the antithesis
of such mass gatherings voiced with rage.
To witness people pausing their busy lives,
leaving behind their troubles and woes,
to assemble with the intention of offering
gratitude for these two dozen Tibetan monks
with a message of love, peace and kindness,
crossing borders of red and white states,
honoring this country’s dream of diversity,
equality and hope. Nothing magical about
their intention and effect on others. Just
like-minded people inhaling and exhaling
together in their presence, listening to words
of sacred communion uplifting the darkness
from this country and the world. Without
any mention of politics today, only signs of
peace, acceptance and kindness sauteed
with a joyful spirit reflected in smiles.
And rather than most everyone holding
a phone, flowers grace their hands.
though a large crowd, elbow-to-elbow,
thousands and thousands if I had to guess.
A stillness in the cool afternoon winter air
as the first monk appeared, walking barefoot,
smiling, his positive energy pulsating into
my chest. Was that a tear on my cheek?
Hands clasped, my fingers touching, offering
homage to their long journey of 2300 miles
over 15 weeks, rekindling a feeling of peace,
inviting the light of a new day into this land.
Ron Shapiro, an award-winning teacher, has published over 20 poems in publications including Nova Bards 24 & 25, Virginia Writers Project, The New Verse News, Poetry X Hunger, Minute Musings, Backchannels, Gezer Kibbutz Gallery, All Your Poems, Paper Cranes Literary Magazine, Zest of the Lemon and two chapbooks: Sacred Spaces, Wonderings and Understory, a collection of nature poetry.
