My Mother's Laughing Buddha

My Mother's Laughing Buddha

Standing on a table
Behind the loveseat
In my mother’s living room
The tall black statue
Of the Buddha joyfully laughing
My mother loved that Buddha
Once in a while
I would see her touch him
As she walked by
Almost ceremoniously
For a blessing, I suppose
And it must have worked
Because she always
Walked away smiling
Each day I kneel before
My mother’s laughing Buddha
Standing on a table
In front of a window
In my own living room
A reminder and a refuge
Of blessing, grace, and joy

c.sharshel
5/7/2016