Buddhist Gridlock.

   an old Asian man with his beard dreaming
   walks across the road in capital letters

   he waves a hand, halts the traffic
   cars squat and chant beside him

   four-wheel drives on haunches mumble
   learn the meaning of restraint

   six wheel trucks stretch low in prayer
   taxis bend in concentration

   the old Asian man exhales
   walks from the road in a treble clef

   cars follow, climb hills for mud huts
   and twenty years of meditation