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Gary Hanna
 Tradition Third Prize 2001 Poetry Contest This lantern is silent now,
its ancient oriental design
that transcends a gift of
worship for simple beauty,
is extinguished once again,
like a passing parade of
ceremonial light on sunbound
water, a rich dowry between
two countries, recording
the empire of each princess
who bathed here in a moment's
time and affection, and
returned to a homelier state,
indelibly refined by cherry
blossoms and tidal pools,
where oceans quietly slip by,
and ducks winter over to
feed on small fishes, whose
names we forget till spring.
Then we repeat ourselves,
mimicking ancient traditions
between men and women.
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