Ode to Japanese Buddhism

On the first warm Wednesday in February

Sky over Kyoto an unbroken robin’s egg

We walked to shrines and temples

To see the geisha dance and twirl fans

Had packets of beans flung at us by old men

I won a bottle of Moon Crown Sake

And you some tea flavoured rice cakes

We happily dropped coins in the offering box

Gripped the three twined cord and rang the bronze bell

Lit incense sticks and washed out face in smoke

Walked through Clear Water Temple

Took pictures of the Old Capital

And commented on the strange gods and amulets there

If my hometown Catholicism

Had had more Roman panem et circenses

Perhaps I would not hate every memory

Of being kicked awake Sunday morning to receive Jesus’ love

Or gagging on incense and dust in the old cold cathedral