From my balcony garden
I can see The Holy Virgin Mother
across the courtyard, arms outstretched
her forgiving gaze shining down from her balcony.
In my balcony garden
Quan Yin sits in quiet mediation
eyes laughing
appreciating the dance of hummingbirds.
I wonder if these holy ladies
exchange recipes for redemption
and ancient secrets for cleaning
hard to remove soul stains
and perhaps while commiserating
over the current state of the world
say things like “Well, you can only
do so much!”
All I know is
state of grace not withstanding
don’t make them call you twice
for dinner.
Ken Owen Van Niddy Press
Lakewood Apartments, San Francisco
Lakewood Apartments, San Francisco
August 2019
