The Past
In Paco Cemetery in Manila
Caskets let end-wise into the wall
Claim each a two-foot square of moss-edged space
In the great stone circle.
Ylang-ylang trees
With year-long steps parade the centuries
Slow.
Just now
Evening is heavy with their breath;
The dizzying sweetness tastes of death,
And all around
Waxy-yellow petals are fallen on the ground.