From My Balcony Garden

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

August 2019