for Leslie Scalapino

I keep gardenias

By the Kwan Yin

Though magnolia was her flower

On my steps where

In ordinary life

Last but once

I saw her alive

We had tea and sweets

Stuffed with bean paste

Years gone

Following pleasure

Wherever it worked

We had tea again

And she by then

Only angel food

And determination

Would live still

But wildly

If she could