So many candles; white fat columns; red 7-day burners
in tall glass jars illuminating Christian martyrs; ornate
miniature picture frames sheathing holy men; a rosary
garden; a statue of Laughing Buddha.
And here is Shiva - god of death
with four arms, moon hair, a third eye -
who drank a draught of poison from the sea
to save the world from harm.
The mirthful Buddha left no writings.
Shiva could not swallow all the body fluids
you drowned in. I should never have read
your journals.
