I had written this in a notebook as an exercise in tandem with my Creative Writing students right after Spring Break. I read it again today when I had them share some of their polished poems. I didn't even really remember writing it, that's how hard the muse was moving my pen those few days after returning from Japan.
SASEBO SHI
Walking through the arcade of Hiroshima's
Okonomiyaki district I am struck with
the sweet pang of remembrance of things past
our sweet first years of love
Began in a city in that same country
the flashing lights of pachinko parlors
The Mister Donuts sign marking the
narrow stairs to my place of employment
The train station at the end of the arcade
marking the journey to yours
We went through the weeks together
though apart except for Friday
and Saturday nights when we prowled
the arcade starting first at the video store
Next to the movies or bowling alley
where we laughed at the dancing rabbit
Who told you that you sucked
at bowling, or got three strikes
in a row. Those days were
filled with flashing lights and
Walking down a hill to a shopping
street and bar district where
our early dreams were made
and we sang songs together into the night
over beer and sake or hot cans from
vending machines. These are the
images and textures conjured by the new
shopping street, in a new century
where I walk next to a child
born of the love first kindled in
Sasebo Shi.
