The veil of the banyan tree

Descends in thin strands 

From nodes, tassels of branches

Interleaving with the serpent’s breath

And the chant from the temple

This evening in tessellation.

Beaded drops lace the strands

Lingering momentarily —

Raindrops gathering at the tips

Scintillating in the street lamp

Resonating with the chant.

The Buddha’s face appears,

Opening his eyes

In each drop.