Walking through a small grove
of bamboo, the breeze evokes
a creaking until you need to look
to insure the tall spindles
are not about to collapse on you.

A small child seeing you knows
what you are thinking, smiles
and says “they are just saying
hello, so you should say hello back.”

Her parents appear flustered, whether
because she is talking to strangers
or for fear that she is bothering you,
but of course it is neither, for the girl
is a Buddha dragging you into
this fragile moment, so you say hello
and both the bamboo and girl giggle.

First published in Whisky Blot Journal, June 2023
https://www.whiskyblot.com/journal/bamboo-by-louis-faber