The whole family on two mopeds <br />father, mother, son <br />grandma, grandpa off we go <br />speeding past neon streets <br />from the city we all sweep <br />under highways across the roads <br />not quiet sure if the way we know. <br /> <br />Past the booted bin lung girls <br />and roadside sellers of fine entrails <br />now reaching more rural roads <br />senses assailed by country smells <br />broken shacks and newer builds <br />with fruit trees wrapped in plastic <br />to deter all the birds from snacking <br />herons sit and watch fish farms <br />as we speed past with sweaty palms. <br /> <br />Approaching now our destination <br />the temple where great grandma <br />had her final internation <br />a calmness fills the air <br />as we climb a curving path <br />past a garden with small stone statues <br />of Buddhas laughing at our passing <br />and a lady tending, smiling. <br /> <br />The grass is soft beneath the feet <br />and lends a lightness to our quest <br />to speak with great grandma <br />tell her all is well as she rests <br />past blossom trees and potted flowers <br />quietness fills each second with <br />what seems like hours <br />a splendid temple just for a few <br />who through devotion Buddha blest <br />up the stairs then take a rest <br />removing shoes before we go <br />inside the incense filled hallowed hall. <br /> <br />First bow to Buddha long and low <br />then face great grandma's ashes <br />in number twenty slot <br />they speak out loud and give the news <br />apologise that great grandson <br />has arrived a little late to chat <br />inside I quietly smile <br />as in my heart I recognise <br />mother, father daughter, son <br />in each is that one same one.<br /><br />David Taylor<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/visiting-great-grandma/
