I.
It was a night like this: the sun went to sleep as the moon began its climb to its seat upon the mountain tops. The air was thick and muggy as if it clawed its way through the skyscrapers and billboards in Osaka, only to hover about me while I sat by the river. There’s a murmur in the distance, a train gently brushing against tracks like it did a week ago when he held me by the waist and whispered, “listen, listen”. We robed ourselves in secrets that day, spoke in hurried whispers, and slept in the embrace of tree limbs. Tonight I am alone without a way back to the lifeless city. I pretend to hold your hand, but then I realize I'm reaching for air, quick to run away from my fingertips. Perhaps every night is like this. Perhaps every night is supposed to be lonely. Perhaps every night from now on, I shall sleep under a blanket of regret while the river cries with me.

II.
In May, Spring had found me
She promised me new things
As long as I journeyed to the sea
To receive what she would bring.

III.
I left my studies to explore
A place beyond my city’s walls
The countryside I did adore
And a river made by waterfalls.

IV.
I kept walking on
The simple road before me
Straight and smooth like silk
Lined with small pebbles and stones
Sun melting them together.



V.
At its end, road becomes grass
I rest beside a mossy hill
Sky darkens as hours pass
Night bringing what it will

VI.
A stranger’s hand urges me to wake.
A man with sapphire blue eyes
Represents a new chance to take
A new adventure, a new surprise

VII.
I took his hand,
Though I knew not where it led me.
Into the darkness
I ran with him like a childish ghost.
I clung to a fallen angel,
Who planned to deceive his God.

VIII.
We darted away like hungry lions
Eager to build our secret den
Dig it deep with open paws
Lay down a foundation of passion,
A bed upon which we will sleep.

IX.
He said
“Once Spring is over,
You'll have nothing left to lose.”
I never met such an evanescent beauty.

X.
Let me sleep in your bones tonight,
Let me build a home in you.
My jaded mind remembers
That Spring keeps all promises.



XI.
Tensions build.
You
Dive
Into
Me.
I know no regrets.

XII.
“Stranger, what's your name?”
“Don't worry. Just listen, listen--”
The train tracks are clicking,
A steady allegro,
A tick-tock clock sped up,
Until metronome breaks.

XIII.
Your hand around my waist.
My heart palpitates.
Spine quivers.
Sleep.

XIV.
Sun awakes from sleep.
River flows like yesterday
I've been abandoned.
XV.
I must leave our den.
Cracks in walls peek and judge me.
Outside, a bird sings.

XVI.
Off in the distance
There is yet another shore
“Come, come,” Sea beckons.



XVII.
So closer I walk,
Sea desires a new friend—
I take a step back.

XVIII.
Cherry blossoms fall
They remind me that you left-
I will follow you.