the buddha's smile

the buddha's smile


there, reflecting off the golden statue
we bow to pray and find our own
is our proper path herald of a
greater awareness this lily
on the pond, crickets humming
in the shallow water the moon and stars
gyrating in supple ammunition
against the Night, we are
the Meditation of a caring Mother, the
sudden Surging
of light in darkness -- the buddha
holds his fingers against his palm
and whispers quietly
among the whispering reeds --