IN MAN MO TEMPLE IN HONG KONG, I LIGHT INCENSE AND PRAY TO THE GOD OF LITERATURE

In Man Mo Temple
I light incense sticks
and place them with care
before the altar--
the first for the heavens,
the second for the earth
and the third for myself,
to bring completeness
and harmony.

And what of the words I write?
Smoke on a white page.