|  | | a temple, a mountain, a path | | | | | silence woke me. the light filtered in the window. my bed was illuminated, not by sunlight, but by daylight. my eyes were heavy with sleep. the shower washed life into me. the coffee revived my wandering mind. breakfast strengthened my sleep-weak bones. a long walk invigorated me. down to tai wai. past the construction. with my camera hanging around my neck ready to steal souls and statues. che kung temple was quiet and lovely, incense blurring the doors and roof in the waves of wind. i stood in the courtyard bending and bowing to find angles at which to shoot the statues. the interior was cool and peaceful. bright wind charms turned in the breeze. the old men sat outside smoking cigarettes. fortune tellers tore through books as women sat expectantly awaiting advice. the birds were singing. the flowers were drenched in spring. i walked a hill. up a decidedly narrow staircase. a woman infront of me (and soon to be behind)panted loudly and clutched the railings. school kids ran past smiling and offering a hushed hello under their breath. i bought a drink from a shop with a smiling baby walking unaided around the dark interior and a friendly man scrambling for change. i met my thoughts on the long walk down the hill to somewhere between Tai Wai and Sha Tin. i walked back to Tai Wai following the canal. i saw hundreds of people out walking in the spring sun. i took photographs of trees. i felt uncontrollable satisfaction and joy. my sweater swung from my bag. i met joe in town. bought some groceries. the mini-bus came and took us home.
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