The afternoon is grey with bursts of sun
that cannot change the water, but near
the pagoda a crescent of reeds curves
into the lake, tall oaten stems foiled
by metal water ̶
like Lake Biwa in Japan
and where the chestnut trees once stood,
rows of cherry blossom unfurl to welcome
a line of saffron monks with shaven heads
who appear slowly from beyond the reeds.
If the pagoda were bigger they could enter
and pray; as it is they lay copper bowls
of cherry petals and fresh jasmine incense
at the golden Buddha’s feet ̶ then continue
in a file to the boathouse to fish for supper.
From: After Image
