Temple of Faces

                                                                     Temple of Faces

By Vaishnavi Pernenkil

Faces carved into stone, aged with wisdom, sat baking in the sun. Eyes on each side watched as people passed by taking pictures and posing. Alongside the temple stood a girl, her turmeric dress billowing in the wind.

Small children run past her, yelling into the chaos of the swarm of tourists. A concerned mother chases after them furthering the disarray. 

The girl walks away, dodging the vendors selling memorabilia and flimsy plastic key chains. As she turns, the yellow fabric follows suit, reflecting flecks of sunlight.

“What are you doing here alone?”

The trail ended, revealing an alcove with a singular banyan tree.

She sat there. Her soul cast a stark contrast against the shadows of the leaves. Her light shining with the sun, fought past the shadows.

“I am here, simply breathing.”