unfinished.

continuing on my temple kick:
__________________________________________
Inari

That night, the secret-faced shrine - - fox
god glowing dim, shadow of the cat slinking
from altar to step - - melting
into stone when beckoned.

You don't scare me. I play the game, run
bravado past mouth quietly.
Timid like shoe-sounds.

(By the brief snake, the empty rib bones of red gates.)

The lanterns are not lit but clever
with their paper luck, cut
pictures of horses, pumpkin silhouettes.