I
in the deepest cave the ancient
carved stone reclines
soles of the feet
marked with winding circles
hands set in enlightened repose
each cave contains a statue
evolved over time
the last a gift
gaudily decorated as authentic
as a retail mannequin
we emerge into the light
from the depths of the cave
blinded by what we now know
II
at the entrance to the cave complex
shoes and thongs in random array
like the aftermath of some market bombing
a reminder of Sri Lanka’s recent past