Nihonshu

Swathes of silk-
kimono days
a passing glancing, prancing gaze;
hobbled, stilted, fractured words
are bound within. Tormented herds
stamp the ground and shake the plain-
can my heart in one remain?
Like the stork out of the sky
awkward legs and awkward cry,
Like a wagon in long grass
like Yun's army at the pass,
halted, bitter, mired I
long for you,
my samurai.

Endless shadow-dreams do prove
that with you I am in love.
Moonless nights find me awake,
Your letters strong as ancient sake.
Return my friend! the swallows fly
the willow weeps and so do I.
My sash undone, my bed unmade
your absence sharp as Fusu's blade.

Return, my friend.

return.