5 August 2018

By Philip Kuepper

I

The twelve
Buddhist youths, and their coach,
like a fleet of boats,
were anchored in the cave
against their wills
by the will of the water,
anchored in a harbor,
not of shelter, but of doom,
Charon come, waiting.

II

The twelve
Buddhist youths, and their coach,
buried alive
at their supper of worship,
were resurrected from the cave
by a lifeline of muscle and faith,
by not giving up their spirit
to the will
of the elements.

(13 July 2018)