We feel we have arrived.Now,a low-voiced
chant lifts
And yogurt shines in a bare,unglazed pot.Out
of the blue.
We bend over our work and ask forgiveness.
We sit in the sun,our bodies folded many
times.
Here,our souls take on bodies anew
And plunge into pure water,covered with ash,so
light and gray.
How often we have been reborn alone,like
this.
We will follow the ruts of these lean bodies,one
fine day,
And continue our journey.Will we ever miss
Your rouged kiss?Now,we mutter in mild hysteria-
"O for the city of collapsing wisteria"