An Afternoon Walk

alone
I walk along
sidewalks strewn with pebbles,
dried seed pods, and pigeon feathers
just one

lonely
woman passes
her briefcase clenched tightly
to her gray-suited chest as she
retreats

at the temple

such stars!
resonating
gongs bid you return to
temple, to watch while the full moon
rises

Wu Chi

gazing
at the moon, two
supplicants beg for rice;
the master observes his students
laughing

summer evening

a light
wind blows through my
garden, scattering lush
bougainvillea blossoms into
the pool