Light breaking through the clouds.
I sit with my dog on my lap,
My cat curled by my head
And an autumn breeze blowing in.

There’s no sound but breathing.
Smoke from incense curls in the air
Joining steam from my tea
Smelling of roses and jasmine.


The temple is at peace.
My mind and my body are not.
I sit at the altar
Praying my thoughts will burn away.