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
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