Thursday, June 28, 2007

Paper Lanterns

A Friend's Poem

By J’Ann Schoonmaker Allen

Pink, white, and yellow paper lanterns,
Candle lit and strung between metal bars
Decorate this temple yard.

Scents of incense, dried fish,
Cooked beetles, western breath, and
Chanting
Fill the cool night air.

A bowing child moves fluidly,
Matching halmoni’s graceful body
Beat
For beat while Golden Buddha watches.

Monks, cloaked in brown from shaved head
To saddles, carry brass cymbals,
Dancing
To some ancient rhythm.

Sightseers, sated, perhaps, depart,
Walking slowly
Behind the one
Before. The monks remain.

No comments: