tanka and monotanka cluster

delicately delicately, embroidering,

tonight he works downstairs in his woodshop

--

 crunch of dead leaves—his side of the bed, impersonal, empty

--

what of the forgotten? tonight's breeze smells of desperation and boredom

--

familiar sound of the elevator—up, down 

everything in me hopin' folks just move on 

--

potted cosmos—our neighbor's baby coos

entertaining a few friends for brunch

--

what happens under windmills—i share a drink with a man passionate about war criminals

--

cars floating down inkdark highways—another overnight shift, i hope i have peace 

--

ive grown accustomed to misery's taste, printing up work papers in silence—now midnight 

--

sea flowers in brilliant red—another meetup with a man i really abhor

--

fragile morning—ritual bowls set out 

salt water and honey for absent gods

--

ripe peaches. what we discuss. we remain at odds. in the distance. passing train

--

leaving 

all these 'sad toys'

in a journal

bought at a kiosk 

late last evening 

--

destined 

to become a 

loverless man

i consider buying 

maybe two cats 

--

nothing matters...

on the stove 

hibiscus tea boiling 

a single slice of cake

on a cheap paper plate

--

these days

becoming monk-like 

on the table

bundle of unopened bills 

being an adult is a trap 

--

departing 

train in Tokyo—

it has been 

too many years since 

i was in college or high school 

--

so 

very hungry 

tonight...

warming up slices of 

left over pizza 

--

reading waka 

by Lady Izumi 

wish i had a man 

who wrote me poems 

or composed music for me

--

unfazed by life 

he wants to ride 

the Ferris Wheel

a late afternoon meeting 

at roadside cafe in Oklahoma

--

Rigel's river 

warmed waters flow

standing there 

lost in thought

not seeing anything

--

a walk around 

a silent hotel

coffeescent 

and the sting of 

boredom

--

life 

in a gold rush town 

boring...

a man with no past 

builds a home outside of town