Margaret Chula
Refuge
Saiho-ji Temple, Kyoto
Sitting on the veranda overlooking a raked stone
garden, I trace the shadowy outlines of a Buddhist
sutra onto thin washi paper. Beyond the garden,
a lotus pond with its yellowing leaves. Long stems
holding on, holding on, then releasing into the water.
A gentle breeze stirs my hair. Ink flows into paper.
My breath, quiet in its release. Namu Amida Butsu.
I take refuge in the Buddha.
first day of school
learning to write her name
first in pencil, then crayon
and when she gets home
in invisible ink
About the Author
Margaret Chula has been writing haiku, haibun, and tanka for over forty years. Her haibun memoir, Firefly Lanterns: Twelve Years in Kyoto, received a NYC 2022 Big Book Award in Multicultural Nonfiction. Her new haibun chapbook, Clothes to Go Out In, was released ib 2025. Maggie lives in Portland, Oregon, and enjoys hiking in the Columbia River Gorge.
Dear Margaret,
This is so beautiful, I loved the feeling that it brought as I read it, of losing myself in the poetry.
Much love, Karina
Thank you, Karina. It was a memorable experience being in my favorite Kyoto garden and writing sutras on washi paper. I’m happy that that the meditation spoke to your heart.
Maggie