Michael G. Smith
Christmas Day, Bodh Gaya, India
Blowing up balloons for the community holiday lunch celebration at the Buddhist monastery, orphaned HIV-infected children tell me what to do. Blow, blow, pinch, spittle gracing the full rubber orb they thrust at me as they say, “Here sir, tie please.” I thank each child, their enthusiasm a reminder of my vow of bodhicitta, the hunger to be of use to others, one intention of the practitioner on the path to awakening. Blow, blow, pop! “Here sir,” one of the children asks, “fix please.”
mile or so distant
the Buddha
attains enlightenment
About the Author
Michael G. Smith is a chemist, Zen Buddhist, and backpacker who travels to out-of-the-way places. Published widely, his books include a volume of poetry, No Small Things; Flip Flop, haiku co-created with Miriam Sagan; and The Dippers Do Their Part, haibun and katagami co-created with artist Laura Young from their Shotpouch Cabin (Springcreek Project) residency.