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?"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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May 23, 2009 at 11:18 AM
I Love you poetry.! The ending leaves a lot of thought in your head -Reality
Higgins Avatar
May 21, 2009 at 10:33 AM
The ending of this just got to me..I didn't expect that at all..good lead up to it..Love the bookstore verse..something about that speaks to me..well done.
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