Japan
Shinbazu Pond –
even these withered lotuses
can lift my heart
heated toilet seat –
memories of growing up
in a large family
deep-fried pork:
I await instructions
on how to eat it
we look through the dark
to the place where Mount Fuji
is supposed to be
arrival in Kyoto…
I buy flowers for myself
flowers for the Buddha
the clunk of wooden sandals
on stone paving –
Mount Otowa
thatched with water reeds
topped with acer leaves –
Basho-an the poet’s hut
further uphill
autumn birdsong leads the way –
Buson’s grave
wandering poet’s well its stone collar lotus
dusk over the city two small girls in flowery kimono
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