the incense rises,
as profusely as
her prayers to the
Goddess of Mercy
these last 50 years
first it was health
and wealth for hubby
who now had gone to heaven
a wish came true though
she had always wanted to
be at his side till he breathed his last
she thanked the Goddess of Mercy for it
her closest pal these last 70 years
confidante of all her secret wishes
from childhood, to womanhood
to motherhood to grandmotherhood
the Kuan Ying (Goddess of Mercy)
not a day old, young as when
she first prayed to it
with eyes gazing into her
she wonders whether her last wish
would be granted - to die with a face
as gentle and calm as hers
filled with full compassion and
plenty of hope for the world
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
a master-craft........universal theme...........you can as well write the same about any indian grandma.........so full of piety and religious fervour that the personal transform into universal without her ever asking....i am a fan of yours, john .