The Temple at Chua Bai Dinh

In days bygone, temples and churches were built

By kings and wealthy merchants who figured that

A little investment here on earth

Would pay handsome dividends in the afterlife

And perhaps wipe the slate clean

And cause the gods to overlook

The misdemeanors undertaken

To get their wealth in the first place.

And so temples and churches

Pleasing to the eye, awe-inspiring to the spirit

Serve first for holy men

Then later as time goes by

As people look no longer to future heaven world's

The rich men's monuments become tourist attractions

And entrance fees are charged

Souvenirs sold

And the present day owners settle for monetary rewards on earth

Rather then uncertain heavenly ones.

A private company in North Vietnam

Perhaps at the sharp end of such matters

Have done away with the first step

And with ten million dollars spent

Have created a vast temple complex

Using reclaimed materials and local craftsmen

To harvest the proceeds of second step.

The result is pleasing to the eye

And awe-inspiring to the spirit

For as Art imitates Life

People come here to pray

And bow down to the hundreds of statues

Of Buddhist arahuts and Chinese gods

And burn incense

And the bronze knees of the patient saints

Are worn smooth and black

By the hands of the pilgrims.