An Ode to Pi-Ka-Net

In Thailand
where I taught for a while,
there was a sight that made me smile:
the shrine of Pi-Ka-Net,
that merry one-tusked elephant
God of Arts

patron of the sensual but
disciplined Thai dancers,
of poets learned and learning,
of actors painting dreams on the silver screen,
of artists full of verve and rum,
of creators in every medium

He is the ally and friend
but flip-side of the Buddha:
wild-eyed and free,
defender of civilization
and honesty

One day I left him a bottled coffee
(by the tiny Thai dancers,
mardi-gras beads and what not)
and it vanished quickly

I think he drank it