Every year for the last few years, I have written a poem to mark Tanabata. Here is this year’s installment.

1
I am on this side
of the bridge

It disappears
when I open my eyes

Are you standing there
waiting for me?

2
I may be turning
into the person
I’m supposed to be

but I can’t see
from the other side

Is that what the dreams
are trying to tell me?

3
On this night the glare of city lights
drowns out the stars

close your eyes and tell me
what you’re thinking

close your eyes and tell me
what you see

4
Maybe this night
is a fantasy
a poor man’s memory

the loop line travelling in circles
without beginning
without end

a bedtime story
waiting to be told again

5
Do you hear
that cello music
coming from somewhere?

Do you hear
the voice
floating somewhere above?

Do you feel
the music too?

6
The bridge disappears
when I open my eyes

Close your eyes and tell me
what you’re thinking

Close your eyes and tell me
what you see

(written 5 July 2023 – posted 7 July 2023)

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