In the poem, ‘The Carnatic concert’, the poet voices the need for new friends and some bondings that stay on for all ages, even when much of life is done and there is very little to look forward to.  The concert seems to be just a pretext for a budding connection, between two middle-aged persons, that happens most unexpectedly. Rambling thoughts voiced without restraint forges a strong friendship that awakens something.  What was rekindled?  Read on.