The Buddha Poem by Prabhakar Subramaniam

When the lights blow out

Urchins erupt in joy

As if darkness was godsend

Candles disappear and when found

Bring the walls alive

One's a child again

Marvelling at the shadows

The hands can shape into deer or hound

The air hums with unheard sounds

The Buddha in the showcase

Stretches and laughs

The empty chairs glow with life

The streets flow with chatter and laughter -

I sit and comfort a dying flame