Counting my Breath

what can you say
about the sun, moon, stars
while sky 
holds them up
do they have a choice

looking out my window
figures walk their dogs
some run some trot
some stop to smell the roses
I planted on the curb

I watch them sniff
then off they go
please spread
their sweetness everywhere
and come back again

I'm waiting
for my transformation when
I love
everyone and everything--
"all sentient beings"

tomorrow will come
in less than 24 hours
the sun will shine
the moon will rise
sky has no judgements

perhaps 
a critical mass is due
but let's leave
the people out 
of this equation

patience
is the antidote
to anger
I'm counting my breath
as I turn blue
April 23, 2019
Originally published in Rafu Shimpo Japanese Newspaper