Flame
Tideless waters
rippling in monochrome
against the stone quay still warm.
Thickening grey skies,
a blanket, passing by.
Ragged strawberry gulls
and black-headed friends
among the white ones,
lovers and the lonely,
children and their parents,
the nameless
I don't know.
Called, drawn,
brought.
somehow to stand
in front of the
shrine of the silver lotus
to reflect for a moment.
What's it all about.
Soundless voices descend
whispering from the heart
of the flame.
Peace.
Peace.
And peace comes,
whilst the eye stares
through the flame burning
at the edge of the sea.