On the Rooftop

On the Rooftop

in the center of the
    city

in the center of the
   valley

surrounded by
   mountains

and the far off invisible
    Himalayas

standing on the rooftop
above the winding stair
I see in all directions:

the rising and crumbling
    buildings

the smoky haze over the 
    highway

the five-colored prayer flags
    swaying

the piles of broken wood and
    corrugated iron

and above it all
eternally:

the curves of the stony
    hills
the sun setting
    behind them

with endless light

and endless
            sky

                              Kathmandu