My Happy Place

Southwestern corner of Bayon, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap Cambodia, swinging in my hammock, my happy place here on planet earth, watching elephants walk by. I say hello with my eyes. Winking back, their intelligence shines but they are too busy being slave driven with tourists on their backs to stop, or chat about the seven lovely geese that landed to drink and feed in the nearby pond. Besides, the elephant knows their size would spook them and force a cackle, quack-like sound. The 'customers' on their back don't even notice the beauty before them, selfie sticks in the way, while the elephant waits for a chance to scavenge a coconut rind left by careless fools. Butterflies and dragonflies whirl and wisp on the winds of their wings above the same pond, drinking and seeking a mate in a sacred eternal dance. Massive stones carefully stacked and carved by some geniuses almost a thousand years ago create the most mind mesmerizing temple- in my eyes, all for the Buddha. Too long since my last blessed awakening here in this beatific place. I returned to Cambodia three months and three weeks ago and the last few weeks been sick or asleep like the dead. Ah, to be truly awake again, alive, and hope to remain so but know too oft' how I fall, like the rest into delusions of self. But now, there is only here- now. Ah, swing on child, swing on.