The Circle of Life (1) Shikoku Temples

Snowflakes lose their shape

As sun creeps ever higher,

Into one they merge.













Bell at Taisanji

The sound of the bell penetrates all -

Here one minute and gone the next,

From emptiness and back again.

Am I like the sound of a bell?












Ripples in the Water

Thoughts flow,

Like ripples on water,

Smooth and uninterrupted.














Tairyuji's Long Walk

Tired steps on a long path,

Where does one go with no end and no beginning?

How about up?

Candles Melting Down

Without living they have the gift of life.
Without legs they dance,
And not with eyes do they shed waxy tears.
Lacking sound or voice they spread the word
That beauty is but a flash.
From end to end they melt away
As flame is gently snuffed.
A trail of smoke brings to mind the candle's guiding light
If only I could burn so bright in this my gift of life.










Smoke in the Light


One for now,
One for then,
And one for what will be.
The fragrance knows no bounds









Prayer on the Steps

Is this the look of Faith?













Stairs of Yakuoji

Like a sorcerer and his cauldron,
The soft shadow of a pilgrim is painted
On steps against unluck.
















Yakushi Nyorai


Rising above the thorny world,
His gestures deliver the absence of fear.

















Ryan Armstrong (USA)
ALT at Kagawa Chuo High School, 1998-1999
CIR at Kagawa Prefecture, 1999-2001