by Keiko Shibata
moisture touches
the deeply familiar
musical notes sung in the shower
a song of tears veiled in steam
forehead pressed against the tile
a coolness clings to a memory
the heat of water spreads over me
and the rivulets embrace the skin
the spirit rejuvenates within
a voice from afar invokes a thought
or is it in the next room
have a thousand moments of good luck
the words caress like a soft breeze
so, I get dressed in a dream
and speak intimacies to myself
the clock’s face is emotionless
minutes and an hour go by, in quiet
to pour a ritual drink in contemplation
finding the smile that is now cloudless
the evening passage approaches
and flower petals float freely
eyes reflect an intuitive longing
to inquire awakens the heart
the hushed breath is an expression
for to feel is to know the buoyancy
of gratitude.