In the afterlife
you might want
consider being a ghost
in the prosperous Da’an
or Great Peace District
of Taipei
where merchants burn
handfuls
of folded gold
money
in hell hot
braziers
to venerate
their ancestors
and secure financial favors
and
judging by the high-end
pricetags
at Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton
this auspicious
ember and ash ritual
has led to success for the living
and eternal security
for the dead
but personally
I’d prefer a backyard rosebush
planted in my honor
instead.
Photo courtesty Chinese Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons
Still Life with Tortillas 
Dear Susan,
I just love you so much! ❤ This poem is wonderful as all your words seem to brighten the world like a rosebush would.
I miss checking your blog, as I am finishing my writing and will be defending in just a few weeks. Wishing you and R and the little peeps in your world so much sunshine and so much more.
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Love you, too, Deb! I miss your mirthfulness! Thanks for the sweet compliment and blessings for a stellar defense. If you’re still in FAI in May let’s get together! ❤
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Dig how you stop the flow of time–make us gander for a bit at this standoff-ish ritual of sorts–then, the closing is so sublimely sudden as to sweep us off our feet–putting us back where we started, but in a whole new vein—which I found to be very intriguing–and breathtakingly liberating.
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“Breathtakingly liberating.” Dang, Jd, I love that and how your really take a gander at my words. Thank you!
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Susan this is so gorgeous. What a gift you have.
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Thanks so much, Julie. You made my day!
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