can't escape the beats 

in san francisco,

they saturate the culture.

here, i'm hearing

nothing but buddha this

and zen that.

my beats are like, nowhere man—

not to be found,

though the beats and bodhisattvas

are variations on a theme.

no, the beats are out, and it's namaste

from five a.m. yoga class

to deep breathing and meditation

before bed.

buddha says,

buddhas don't save buddhas.

i look around and say, 

they're sure trying.

and though this is not rome

i will heed the adage

when in rome . . . 

and read my bodhidharma

~

marketa says, judge not, lest ye . . .