I woke up in a hostel daze
to my compatriot Kevin asking me to leave
the big city for the old capital.
1300 years ago, Nara was the seat of imperial power.
The scale of time staggers an American mind;
that long ago, the ideas that would become
were still generations away.
Arriving, I feel power and peace radiate.
these temples have rested for centuries
we must rest with them.
cleanse your hands: water to left, right, and mouth.
light the incense, send healing home.
enter and crouch,
prostrate ephiphanies.
cathartic, we exit.
We come upon the horned tribe.
Two boys are ecstatic.
The deer are less excited.
Then cookies appear.
find the first installment of my trip to Kansai, Japan, here.
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