the years did to him br like they had to wines br a calmness, mellowness br br -submissions to the divine br tempests, victory and loss- br br they poured a shade onto him br like amber - leaves that return br a million years to shine like miracles br br the halo round the buddha br circled the realms for answers br to every breath, every consciousness br before crowning him with triumph br br every year of study of the sutras br brings new understanding, br new awakenings, a clearer sky br the manner vintage wine surprises (greets) br the tongue every new springbr br john tiong chunghoobr br