Song of the Builders
"On a summer morning,I sat down on a hillside to think about God -a worthy pastime. Near me, I saw a single cricket; it was moving the grains of the hillside, this way and that way. How great was its energy, how humble its effort. Let us hope it will always be like this, each of us going on in our inexplicable ways building the universe."
~Mary Oliver from Why I Wake Early (2004)
This poem was shared by one of my favorite authors, Oriah, the day I left for Angkor Wat. The poem could not have come in a more appropriate time than this. As the travel buddies joined the multitude of tourists in the temple, we all followed our English speaking tour guide. There were thousands of people, each belonging to a group, each group going on in their own ways. Each individual having his own reason to visit this ancient temple. Each one contributing his share of building the universe. As we each return to our own homes, we bring along a special memory, a happy experience, historical information, souvenirs, 'pasalubong' for our loved ones.
What did I bring home with me? ... A certain calm, a blissful experience, a bit of wisdom, the desire to continue my search for happiness and perfection, and a greater need to learn compassion, charity, sincerity, and simplicity.
betsisanders 2012
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