Sanctuary

Once upon a time, long long ago,

A simple lass, her hair fragrant with jasmine,

With a little garden where bloomed a million flowers, to be picked and sewn

The Garland's that tossed about the neck of lovers,

The girl had none though still ,her fingers weaved

An order out of disorder, a rule into the unruly,

Pressed against bosoms, lied the flowers tamed

Night falls, she climbs the steps to the shrine,

Her love of life, the deity who never slept

The heavy doors close, the anklets quieten, as the lass sleeps

A dreamless sleep, peaceful, rested at the feet,

The deity smiles, an invisible warmth laden with the fragrance

Of flowers covers a sleeping form,

This is heaven, far from hell

The goddess wakes, wherever, whenever alone