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Monday, December 24, 2012

Visiting a Local Temple on Nathan Road in Hong Kong

by Michael D. Cooper
December 3, 2012


taurus-headed deity holding a trident

laughing big-bellied buddha-like figure

ah, Quan Yin
how wonderful to meet you again

scholars, warriors

all on the altars of this old temple
where i visit this morning

huge protectors carved from wood blocks
towering seven feet tall
(the cleaning woman got up on a stool
with a washcloth to bathe one
of their fierce faces)

monkey man in the midst
of many revered beings
as devotees light ten sticks of incense
and waft in worship with the fragrance

where is chairman mao now?

undoubtedly in the tao, all of us