Today
I saw a monk
pause before the open frame
of the airport's art gallery
with mouth agape,
robes bright
and backpack sagging,
before moving slowly forward
as if nothing new,
nothing striking,
nothing important waited there
in the artists' critique of society,
class,
consumerism,
and extravagant wealth.
Today
I saw a monk
shuffle his small backpack
and continue to the baggage claim
with mouth agape,
robes simple
and backpack firmly clasped...