Bowl

 
 
 

plastic water bowl
 
cradling summer’s bloodred moon—
 
old dog drinks his fill

Mangos

 
 
 

Near the kitchen sink
 
three mangos in a white bowl
 
draw clouds of fruit flies.

Tea

 
 
 

bowl of jasmine tea—
 
fragrances of east and west
 
mingling in the steam

Milk

 
 
 

first weekend of spring—
 
pouring milk into a bowl
 
for the feral cats

Tea

 
 

he and his mistress
 
sipping from the same tea bowl—
 
first day of autumn

Meal

 
 
 

in the beggar’s bowl
 
shadows from a passing cloud
 
for his midday meal

Bowl

 
 
 

on the stone doorstep
 
a beggar’s worn wooden bowl
 
filling with raindrops