Real Estate

Curl of smoky streaks Joss stick messages; Heaven bound ~~~~~~~~~ Temple visit Feast day moments; Talk to the dead ~~~~~~~~~ Bright Hill Temple Where rites bring peace; Family gathering ~~~~~~~~~ Temple verandah, Spacious prayer courtyard; Surreal this heaven ~~~~~~~~~ Closed eyes salute An inner realm calls; Spiritual insight ~~~~~~~~~ Here we gather Offer our earthly harvests; Poignant celebration ~~~~~~~~~ Briefly we come Ply food offerings; Gratitude tells ~~~~~~~~~ Columbarium niche Earthly ashes laid; Fond remembrance ~~~~~~~~~ All Souls Day By parents' niche tomb; Familiar voices speak ~~~~~~~~~ Echoes in hallway Death talks in silence; Life feels message ~~~~~~~~~ Poise in strange voice Talking in my head; Ecstatic insight ~~~~~~~~~ Brief is our time here In-between eternities; Grief comes too late ~~~~~~~~~ Songbirds sing A rustic hymn; Salute the dead ~~~~~~~~~ Flowers sparkle bright Crimson, violet, orange hues; Bourgainvillea vines ~~~~~~~~~ Hurl of midday sun Casting odd silhouettes; Deserted columbarium ~~~~~~~~~ Leon Enriquez 22 October 2014 Singapore