the place is well trimmed
bushes with leaves well arranged
like the haircut of a soldier
the dragon guards the place
the one that does not spit fire
nothing to fear in this place of
worship this place of calm and
quiet where cameras are prohibited
but we all tread our steps towards
the holy and the divine that
unholy hour of our existences.

i was once here and there is
someone i cannot forget
the close friend i had who
clicked her camera who told
me to pose here and there only
to realize later that there was
no film.

oh, those were the younger years
that speak of lies
that gives nothing but false hopes

meanwhile, i am amazed at this
temple
a tip that tries to reach the clouds
telling us
though that we are less inferior.

RIC S. BASTASA

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-poem-written-at-the-taoist-temple-in-cebu-city-a-few-days-ago/