Temple Rains

You feel it sweeping over you

Like catacomb clouds that

Encumber living bones that

Enjoy drinking amontillado.

You see the iron curtain sway

In the distance over green hills,

Hearing the cry of dragons

Surrendering treasure hoards.

You find refuge in rainbow darkness,

Protuberant eyes from spirits

And demon of purest alabaster

Gaze from behind mesh prisons.

Outside you step, curling snakes

Around metal grips that spin

Prayers to wherever winds go

When joy and sorrow cool the air.

Upwards you climb on rock

And red carpets in serpentine gazebos,

Old men in cowboy hats sit

Chanting in cadence with your steps.

The eyes are watching you from above

The interred artist in celestial dome,

Guarded by greater gods sitting

With legs crossed and hands outstretched.

And then the air drowns you with

Melted baubles and trinkets that freeze

Flashing lights on the stairs

And shatters their lotus shells.

Your parasol devours the sight of

Ruined tile roofs and brick paths,

Molded spires with Corinthian tops,

And makeshift rivers of rock and sand.

You are left where you started,

By a wall that grants luck but no wishes,

Trampling earthen plates where

Animals graze with no due haste.

Composed 07/07/2012

Author’s Note: Spent the day at the famous Amarbayasgalant temple. It started out very overcast, looking quite ominous, before it eventually rained. Since the road there is dirt and rocks, it made the trips to and from a bit difficult.

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