In the temple pond
 
one cream-white lotus opens—
 
the old priestess hums.

 
 

Near the temple gate
 
some fading cherry blossoms
 
cause the priest to smile.

 
 
 

No one knows the name
 
of the man who sleeps each night
 
near the temple gate.

 
 
 

On Thanksgiving Eve
 
a homeless woman beds down
 
near the temple gate.

 
 
 

From the temple bell
 
a sound unheard by mortals
 
leaks into the stars.

 
 
 

See! my wrinkled feet
 
still know how to walk six miles
 
to the temple gate.

 
 
 

First day of the month—
 
sweet incense from the temple
 
drifts across my path.

 
 
 

Above the fragrance
 
of incense in the temple
 
a spider dangles.

Moon

 
 
 

A full moon rising
 
higher than the temple roof
 
lights up every street.

Gifts

 
 
 

A barefoot woman
 
enters the temple courtyard
 
bearing gifts of rice.