I Passed Four Others

scrawny wire, elasticky pulled 
flung dough, quickly shaking


shrine smoking
--"a mi tou fo"
frail faith
--quietly jubilant 
reverent discourse, conversing


trance succumbing, 
magnetic rhythm

ambient murmur,
repetitive sadness

inaudible distraction,
faint chants

sermons and salvation


stroking his throat
with thumb and forefinger
neither tortoise nor turtle straining
extended forward
automated habit
in reverence, his routine