Sanchi Stupa

That day it drizzled 

so perfectly 

that it washed away the dirt 

both with in and without. 

the grass gleamed greener, 

so did the happy leaves

and shone brightly 

the weathered sandstone

of this ‘cosmic mountain’.

An absolute peace 

engulfed me 

as I circumambulated 

the balustrades ramp, 

admiring the handiwork 

on the four Toran gates

by those ancient artisans

who with little more than 

chisels and blades

created poetry in stone. 

Perhaps Ashoka’s remorse,

Sunga and Satvahana 

ceaseless ambitions also 

found some succour here.