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Yong Koong Sa
by C.J. Pellerin
Break into high plumes
muscle over
foam up inner crevices
gulls kite into
seeking stranded clams
Eaves' under-work
timber grey-boned
by salt-laden gales
In impressionist form
tour groups paint
down the 108 steps
pose for photos
under the immortal
pearl-clutching dragon
pile in pile out of
the main temple
In his special cavern
granite Buddha sits beside
a wilting bouquet of pink roses
receives all supplications
with the same smile
In the monk's chant
strains
of Bird's heroin jazz?
A wizened Halmoni descends
into the holy cellar
with a badly shaking hand
lights a candle bows low
High-strung University girls
troop in pull out compact mirrors
adjust makeup babble into cell phones
Boys smoke push each other around
Heavily jaded house-wives
huddle together in cabbala
sip coffee clandestinely
check their designer purses
I shift aside
speak-English-to-foreigner looks
hope for an unbroken
oriental solitude
Waves
build in the shallows
hulk over
brutal-free
in timeless
peaceful
destruction
January 18, 2006