The Silent Cry Poetry Collection

Standing in the East

Standing in the East

I am standing at the foot of

The biggest Buddhist temple in South East Asia.

I am standing at Kek Lok Si.

I am standing by the turtle pond.

Over a thousand slide with ease through the green water,

Saved from their alternate fates.

For a few ringetts I can feed them and change my karma.

I am standing in a cavernous room.

Golden idols stare laughing through their glass cases,

While golden Chinese dragons coil tightly round pillars.

My feet are bare on the cold floor.

A mark of respect.

I am standing in the courtyard.

It is more of a village than a temple.

I see a small elaborate building,

Surrounded by pink and ivory flowers.

No one knows its purpose.

I am standing at the top of a tower.

Another golden statue is standing behind me.

I am looking out across a windowless space,

At the beautiful barren green slopes and clear sky of the country.

I am standing at home,

The heat and eastern sun gone,

Replaced with clouds and rain.

But when I close my eyes tonight,

I’ll be standing in Kek Lok Si.