Admonishment and Libation
concerning the proposed termination with extreme prejudice
of Hongxia's jailer
for Tracey
Wrong thought,
wrong
speech,
you
scolded,
At the honest
mention
Of a contract
on
the old bag,
Maybe scaring her
out
of that bad heart,
Frankly
recounting
Duke Guan,
a
great bodhisattva,
Had killed
a
lot of people.
Next day,
Goose Lake Library,
a
back chamber,
He was there
waiting
for me,
The red-skinned
God
of War,
Incense stubs,
water
bottles,
before
his patient image.
Bowing and pouring
a
brandy libation,
I wasn't sure
I
was offering
atonement
For perverted thought
and
speech,
Or gratitude
to
a martial spirit
for
his bold advice.
