Altar (#3)

                          from: Broken Chord Sequence
- Marilyn Chin

Why cry over dried flowers?
They’re meant to be straw.
Why cry over miniature roses?
They’re meant to be small.

Why cry over Buddha’s hand citron?
Why cry over the hidden flower?
Why cry over Mother’s burnt forehead?
Her votive deathglow, her finest hour.

from: Rhapsody in Plain Yellow. Copyright 2002.