Mr. X and The Monk

Reaching the summit of the temple, we were surrounded by 72 stuppas, each one embellished by silver and gold lattice that shown as brilliantly as the sun itself. I felt we had reached another universe or dimension. Inside each stupa sat a serene Buddha of the darkest stone – looking outward toward Mount Meru with the eternal smile of serene confidence. Sitting alone surrounded by this sumptuous monument was a small man bent and wizened. He wore gracefully draped saffron colored robes. He smiled and invited us to sit with him. He looked at me dramatically attired in Marquis in Green – he smiled and said, Princess you are like a goddess of fecundity…. in that luscious green and black… satin and leather gown accented by lace and crowned by flowing black hair. He thought I looked like a living Apsara, a celestial maiden – pleasing to the Gods bringing joy and love to the temple and landscape…Marquise in green is like a magnificent emerald rare and treasured --- unforgettable as the lush landscape that surrounded us. In the elegance of Nathalia's flowing red and silver my eyes meet Mr. X's-- in the sweet bliss of acknowledgement that that a little part of me in Mr. X will be there always -- cherished.... The monk began to tell us a tale of a city…. He asked --- "can you imagine a white city, rising up majestically at the estuary of a river, a city whose history goes back to the dawn of time… a city whose beauty and culture was enhanced over the centuries by kings and queens, nobles and merchants… a royal city…." He told us that we sat in the very heart of that once great city … As we listened to the cadence of his voice -- under the hot tropic sun and gentle spice breeze -- he began to weave a spell ---- that left us sitting in rapt amazement as he continued to tell the tale of the prince and princess………….

Sita Writer....