A Vietnamese priest
Said my mother's funeral Mass
Vegetarian Pho
Thus it comes to pass

I take refuge in Mother Mary
Buddha olive green
Flush. Embers. Nirvana.
Compassion. Things Not Seen

Life is isolation
People in the park
Light breaks through
So too does the dark

Northwest totem poles
Southeast Trail of Tears
All my hopelessness
All my psychofears

      Burning down the years