In this seemingly endless time of isolation I share a piece from the Kathmandu Diaries. After four months of silence it is time to share again.
How we are not alone …
Because he picks up the phone on the first ring
Because the wind moves the leaves of the tree
Because the old woman hangs the prayer flags
Because the monk sits in the back room and scares away the demons by banging his cymbals and his drums
Because the young man puts down the phone and says, “May I help you?”
Because a stranger watches your backpack while you go to the bathroom
Because a lover takes your hand to safely guide you across the busy street
Because the old Tibetan woman pushes you aside as she circumambulates the stupa
Because a crooked man sweeps the path in front of you
Because the bells tinkle in the wind
Because a young woman makes your hotel bed
Because you count and re-count the money you wish to give away
Because he pulls out your chair
Because a poet writes a line for your heart
Because a tear falls when you cry
Because a sound reaches your ear
Because a shopkeeper hands you a bottle of water
Because a niece wishes you a good trip to Nepal
Because an airline pilot delivers you safely to the ground
Because he hands you the bottle of wine first
Because a bird builds a nest on your hotel room patio
Because a burning body tells you the end of the story
Because a woman keens and wails
Because a monk prays for the safety of the world
Because a young woman calls you Didi
Because you lay together in bed on wrinkled white sheets in the morning
Because the heart jumps at the sight of beauty
Because the screen keeps out the dust
Because the door opens in
Because the men work to repair the road
Because the driver takes the shortcut
Because he looks back and smiles when he leaves
Because the rain falls on all the earth
Because the old mother can’t reach the altar with her offering
Because the stupa holds tightly to the bones
Because the moon is full and
the tea is hot