Crimson maple leaves
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
quickly fade to brown.

 
 
 

a stray white feather
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
and new-fallen snow

 
 
 

field-trip offering—
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
a young girl’s selfie

 
 
 

As July winds down,
 
the stone Buddha’s lap fills up
 
with empty wind songs.

 
 
 

Listen! the cricket
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
strikes up a new song.

 
 
 

Languid afternoon—
 
in his lap the stone Buddha
 
cradles butterflies.

Faded

 
 
 

first day of autumn—
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
one faded plum leaf

Mosquito

 
 
 

A lone mosquito
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
keeps sniffing for blood.

Lap

 
 
 

Little granddaughter,
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
you sit for a while.

Chicks

 
 
 

First week of summer—
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
a wren feeds her chicks.