Bonsai of Thought: One Hundred Thirteen

1. In times of solitude
more painful than emptiness
is the rumination
on completeness.

2. Crushing petals between her fingers
she remembered—
once, she too
had been so beautiful.

3. A haunted city.
A few dogs here and there.
The scent of gunpowder in the air.
Here, the sky is grey.

4. Seeing the rain
I knew at once—
you would come!

5. In the evening café
a little distance away
in the steam of coffee
there was fire.

6. When night falls
she comes home.
And I
weep alone.

7. Rose petals
lie captive
in the junction
of your thighs...!

8. Even drinking wine
I don't get as intoxicated
as I do
gazing into your eyes!

9. All your magic
is mingled in these two eyes.
Today, therefore,
I no longer look into them.

10. The wound is too deep...
don't look anymore.
Find comfort in this thought—
I'm perfectly fine!

11. Looking up at the moonless sky
I can no longer
find you there!

12. At high noon... a child
draws the future
of my shadow
in chalk dust.

13. We two must walk
side by side down the long road...
not to reach any particular destination,
but simply to walk together.

14. At the sound of wings—
I wake to see
another butterfly's
pale dream dying.

15. I swallow
my own ghost...
removing the spirit from specter
to keep it close to myself.

16. Barefoot
on soft grass—
broken glass,
bloodied feet.

17. Half of life was spent
paying the debts of the past.

18. That path
is still dust-laden today,
the path on which you
became a stranger.

19. Even in this sunlight—
moonbeams!
Why now...
before time runs out!

20. The state of my heart—
do you wish to see it?
Then look upon
the dried leaves in the dust of the road.