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.

Nest

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
you have built your nest.

Hunt

 
 
 

winter afternoon—
 
in the old stone Buddha’s lap
 
blackbird hunts for seeds