These images were taken this summer at the The Temple of Heaven in Beijing.  I make several references here to different pieces of The Temple of Heaven, particularly the three paths, a wall, and the heart stone.  The title in the character translates to "Heaven".

Let us walk the paths of emperors
and stand where gods among men were.
We can smile and laugh
and carry ourselves like blind fools
throughout the dynasties.
We'll drape ourselvers in finery
and wrap ourselves around our chests.

We can turn our faces to a gray sky
and walk.
We have no earthly cares
nor are we bound to earthly pains.
Our feet are firm on the smooth stone,
worn drown from those who trod here before us,
yet there is something freeing.

We can whisper to the walls
and listen to each other's heartbeats
from across the court.
Children are whispering in foreign tongues
and tired parents laugh as they shake their heads.

I'll take your hand
and press it over my heart
while we glide over the nine rings of marble.
We'll ascend the warped steps
and glassy smooth stone.

They told me if we make a wish atop this stone
that the heavens will hear our pleas.
There was chaos around us
as people babbled and mumbled.

Yet,
in that moment
everything was okay.