A Song 139

June 8.
Sparrows unwet.
A reluctance?
No invites?
From over the hills
beyond the mangroves,
rain clouds in a shuffle,
halt, wait at bus stops
to me city;
tiring drives over years
from stubble of rocks
far north,  
has aged them;
no drums, no lanterns;
as Lady and Old Man holding boneless
hands,
describe Buddhist circles
on kneeless legs strapped to walking sticks,
nursing a cold raindrop
on Karuna Road,
in karuna.