J.C. Elkin Verse-Virtual 2016 January

January 2016

I am an optimist, linguist, singer, and founder of the Broadneck Writers’ Workshop. My chapbook, World Class: Poems Inspired by the ESL Classroom (Apprentice House, 2014) is based on my experiences teaching adult immigrants. Other poetry and prose appear domesticallyand abroad in such journals as KansasCity Voices, Kestrel, Angle, and Steam. For more info please isit my website: http://www.broadneckwritersworkshop.com/jane-c-elkin.html

Bodhisattva Guanyin
Chinese, hollow dry lacquer, 16th C. Ming Dynasty
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

Guarding the exit – Jewel In the Lotus.
Mystery Princess draped in gilt silk.
Manicured, tasseled, lounging barefoot.

Pendulous lobes heavy with cares
gleaned from the cries of a suffering world.
Infinite, peaceful, wise beyond words,

Goddess of Mercy, blessed, enlightened.
Mary for Buddhists you’re sometimes called.
Do you also hear Christian prayers?

Salve, Salve Regina Guanyin.
I entrust you with my secret.

-first published in Angle