The judge is listening, the clerk recording
everything and very precisely
the lawyers summarise it

A butterfly flutters through the hall
gently, gently
the judge catches it

between his hands, just a moment
then he arranges the acts
in an archive box

without passing sentence
He sends away the parties
to settle a small issue

together and
at the next session
he invites them

to make arrangements themselves
on another point
He takes the box and asks

their assent to close it
There is music from the café
the judge closes the windows

stores bands and robe
In the courtyard full of flowers
he fills a large watering can