To Kathleen

(my friend who carries all the wishes of the Buddha flags in her heart)

swim Kathleen, stay afloat

float Kathleen, rest

run Kathleen, run away

away in your mind

spin Kathleen, spin a web

a web of armor to protect your heart

breathe Kathleen, breathe

deeply all the air you can

cry Kathleen, cry out

a river pain and fear

and know, Kathleen

that we are here

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth.