How Long Has It Been?

A Renga: It feels like summer Even though it's October And leaves have fallen Night shadows in the garden And the waxing gibbous moon A 3-4 time dance Mixed with memories of youth Whispered in the room That first love always lingers And also the first breakup After the north wind A day of bone chilling cold With coats and ear muffs Hands embrace the mug of tea And a few minutes alone Under the branches Of the blooming cherry tree Insects awaken "I like being around you," He smiles and she is flattered At the small bookstore The regular customer Finds a second home The always open temple Hardly noticed by tourists Family photographs Mixed with good-natured joking And sips of sweet wine One brother asks the other, "How long has it been since Mom died?"