I met the Buddha

I saw the Buddha
just the other day,
sitting on the river bank,
tossing breadcrumbs to the fish,
an iridescent robe
draped casually over a shoulder --
as if to say,
of course I have a golden cloak;
what difference does it make? --
not unlike the purple-faced lady
in the magenta shirt
who parked her purple PT Cruiser
with its lavender detailing
in the pharmacy parking lot.
As her license plate cover said,
"Yes, it's purple.
That's all you need to know."

I met the Buddha by the water,
but I didn't really see him until later;
Until now.


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