A VEGETARIAN LOVER

(For: DM)

Not knowing since when
My heart was screaming
Where and why were you?
Leaving me alone in the cold.

The question mark turned into a sickle
Pulling my heart down and tearing it out
In my heart's jumble
Your face emerged and vanished.

I am a vegetarian lover
Without you, my life became insipid
The lonely life of a celibacy
Threw me in the Buddha's sanctuary.

The heart shaved its head
Blood wove the kashaya robe
Knock! Knock! and Knock…! My darling!
Praying to You? or praying to Buddha?

Thousand hand and thousand eye Buddha
Appearing in the incense fragrance
Scowled me:
"Why are you dishonest?"
Embarrassed, I kept my head down…

Le Ngoc Ninh (Vietnam)