First published in Southerly Literary Journal 76.2, November 2016
all audio versions found here
on turquoise ground
rooftops are flag forced
revolution red
risking reprisals
yellow stars are ripped
on the city outskirts
in homage to a stolen lama
a Shigaste restaurateur
pull curtains
over Beijing’s chosen Panchen
old man whispers of a secret
picture of Dalai
in the capital
binoculars pore over prostrations
and Buddha’s blessings are molested
at temple gate checkpoints
machine gun operators
operating their lungs
over chanting nomads
om mani padma hung
clockwise hum plaited
into hair of pilgrims
a Tibetan grandmother
holding my arm
guiding me to spin
the prayer wheel
in the base of my belly
in my neck
behind my eyes
in my right breast
melted butter
and sage fired
Jokhang air
a ticket home
one way permeability
all Tibetan passports
were confiscated in 2012
To see a satirical song dedicated to Tony’s Abbott’s knighting of Prince Phillip, press here
File photo dated 06/06/14 of the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip meeting Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. The Australian prime minister has defended his decision to honour the Duke with a knighthood, despite a social media backlash.. Issue date: Monday January 26, 2015. See PA story ROYAL Philip. Photo by Tim Rooke/PA Wire
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