Scoop of Light Author:Vera Schwarcz Prayer Wheel If I forget you, oh Jerusalem? — let my tongue cleave to my mouth. Two cauldrons of incense, — a dozen pilgrims on straw mats, — one young nun, a frayed string — to tie her legs together, — an old man, beribboned hair, — two rags of paper — to slide his hands, — smooth the leap: — Erect. Flung down. Full body worship — of all that is ho... more »ly. Inside the Jokhang Temple
hundreds of yak butter lamps
uncoil the creased faces of aged monks,
young acolytes in meditation. In Tibet, on prayer-stained stones
the silent shuffle of prostrations
uncleaves my tongue. To turn the prayer wheel.« less