Fragrance of Night Jasmine

Fragrance of night jasmine
fills the temple street.
A sacred silence resonates
around swaying bells.
Mesmerized, I walk
a hundred footsteps,
wishes wrapped
with each blessed tread.
Dimly lit pathways
seem dusted in holy glimmer,
as the half-moon of dawn
reflects under jaded eyes.
A prayer securely folded
within pale pink petals,
now crumpled in my hands...
Like buds of a vulnerable youth,
intimately woven
into strings of memory.

~ Describing the hypnotizing ambience by a temple atop a hill in India on a festive day at dawn ...