wanderlust is an addictive vixen
I wander through the fresh and white
Ascending to an all new height
And through the path covered in snow
Winter sunshine casts its glow
The monkeys play, and stare me down
Pulling faces like little clowns
Their ruby faces highlighted with cold
And how they run at tourists is bold
The air bites, into the springs they dip
Heat rising from the pool as they wake from kip.
Lazily grooming in the sun
Gathering speed, in packs they run
Hardest to capture is a single one.
The lift in altitude
Sends my spirits soaring
I am transported through the wonderland
Music surrounds the silent mountain
Haunting me
As the snow cascades.
Glimmers of light, of hope
Shine out from the trees and into my soul
Surrounding me like a gentle caress
Enraptured by the magic that sings.
I reach the summit, jaw wide open
My heart grows larger,
I hold my breath,
From behind my mask, a waterfall.
I stand where the champions once stood,
And embark on a trail
That renders me in their shadow.
I frolic, I play
As glitter shimmers from the sky.
My innocent heart is right at home
In the Majesty of the Mountains.
I wander the temple,
But it is clear that the Doves and Pigeons
Are the traditional owners of this space.
The flags flutter in the breeze
But the birds are not afraid.
Fortunes tied to the strings,
They bloom like blossoms in the spring
I watch the congregation worshipping
Under the outdoor temple
Impressive, he rises above the Earth
Containing wishes, dreams and prayers.
I board the train to the seaside,
The sun streaming through the winter air,
To the Candle in the Sky.
Higher and higher, ascension is imminent,
Through stalls, restaurants, trees and shrines
Weaving our way to Heaven.
Affirmations of love project
From the shadow of the lighthouse
Like a beacon, sending them home
To be granted.
Oh, what power lies within
The Sun, the Sea, and the Stars.
A train from Tokyo leads me here
Rural scenery delights me.
A little red caboose waits at the end of the line for its passengers,
A switchback train weaves its way up the mountain,
Back and forth, it meanders lazily
With purpose.
We disembark onto a steep Cable Car that takes us to new heights,
Then a Gondola takes us to marvel at Fuji-San…
But she shies behind the clouds.
At the port I wait, to board my ship,
My new affectionate friend keeps me company
Neko-San transforms my pants to match his fur.
Ahoy, mateys!
On our lake adventure, we embark
Sailing the flat, calm seas of Ashi
We show our bravery on the ships’ bow
Pirate blood flowing through our minds
While the air freezes and the wind bites,
So we retreat.
Growing colder still, the shrine lies unexplored in the forest above
Higher and higher we climb
Torii gates juxtaposed against the deep dewy emerald.
And while the pilgrims worship,
Oh, what magic,
As snow begins to fall.
Golden rays of morning sun beckon,
When the torrent clears, I embark on my pilgrimage.
Steeped in tradition,
My environment bows humbly before me
The ruby path opens to enlightenment.
Master Shiba poses for the camera,
Regal, Polite and Proud
An asset to his breed
Kawaii Desu Ne!!
He makes us coo in delight.
I observe the Buddhist ritual,
Water, Incense, a Bow
I drop a coin, shake the box, pluck a token…
Number 86
The most fortunate of fortunes,
Under Buddha’s calm stare,
I smile contently
For life is beautiful.
Its energy hits like a delightful slap,
Bold as Brass, it reels me in
Quintessential Tokyo,
I have longed to stand right here.
There is no escape from the light, sound, colour…
Nor do I want to.
Ensnaring in its motive,
Brutal, honest
No deception.
Eyes wide open, I sense, I feel,
I turn a corner, but I step back in time,
Juxtaposed among the technological salute
Lies an ancient secret, not well kept
Leaving me enchanted.
These tiny alleyways hide another world
Sake for the Salarymen,
Yakitori for the Youth.
Dedicated chefs in intimate corners
With banter so polite
Atmospheric Gold
Charming me completely.
A golden glow is cast upon
The awe that lays before me
The early buds of spring arrived
Displayed in all their glory
As Golden Hour deepens
The hue grows rich and light,
My spirits lift as I observe
My soul grows wings,
Takes flight.
I bask within the joyous mood
Excitement manifesting,
For all are here, surprised as I
The scene we have been blessed with.
We react like children, young and old
Magic in the air,
Our cameras click and smiles grow broad
This experience we share
With innocent abandon
Through the trees we play,
Non-existent inhibitions
We marvel in this day.
The blush of rose grows colder now
The sun is getting low
But now, burned in our memories
The shadow of its glow.
I am walking in the real world
But my heart is dipped in fantasy
At every turn, a figurine awaits,
Brightly coloured, behind plate glass
Or inside a capsule machine,
Underground,
Waiting to be adopted.
Akihabara!
In the midst of a geek dream,
I can feel you smile,
You giggle, you enchant, you are worshipped
By the life sized characters surrounding me
I have wandered into a fairytale.
The story unfolds as I observe…
Pink, Purple, Yellow, Sailor, Maids, Combat,
I am meeting them all
Participating in their game
I blow kisses as they wink at me
Pose for me.
I play along, and I do it well,
This is the world I understand
For my childlike spirit has found its home.
Wired and Moody
Artificial voices silenced.
I watch on, brooding
I want to run.
Hush now, go to sleep
Frozen still, I almost weep
Compelled, I decide to stay,
But they do not want to play,
They cannot, anyway.
When he speaks, I do not understand
He carves his metaphors from the paper,
He carves his audience, the world.
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Keeping time with his music machine,
An art and DJ set.
A quick pose before he pulls the paper,
We are all outlines, incomplete.
He slows the beat, and pushes on
Dotting us into silhouettes,
Forming us with calligraphy.
He dances, we watch in awe
As he brings his message to life
Hypnotised by the movement of his ruby shoes.
Red, Yellow, Blue, he adds
Weaving all our colours together.
A face appears, his hands remain steady
Under primal rhythms.
At last, he presents his work with pride,
Exhausted from his performance
I am transfixed, inspired.
Unity.
Peace.
Love.
When he speaks, I do not understand
But his message is clear.
love.truth.chaos 