pawn shop buddha

in the pawn shop sat a Buddha
Fat Hotei, not Gautama

he looked so goddamn jolly
i was in the Hot Ice Follies

i said, if next time no one's bought you,
i'll hit you with a harrowing haiku

i'll have something for you, he said
keep it real and i'll soothe your head

when i finally pawned my last belonging
i committed myself to radical disarming

i explained i'd carried it all my life -
a studded crucifix concealing a knife

he giggled with a belly that jiggled
then cocked his head over like playin' a fiddle

i summoned my courage and said with conviction

without sweet anger
for comfort and protection
i'd be crying now

i saw my Self burning down
Sadness then gently turned me around

he pulled a tasseled hat from behind his back
then smiled as a diploma emerged from his sack

you carted anger until you lost it
now you've got a degree in Drop It