spinning, spinning still
the top
in deep meditation

face without feature
shell of an egg

the sea cucumber
yearning for the sea jelly
billions of years passed

earth fault a legend
bubbles open a crack

innocent kid beside me

his knowledge doesn't exceed
Princess Kaguya and the Little Prince

rereading a fairy tale
a kite to play with

string of memory

the hand of my neighbor
binding his bonsai

the young mother's breast shriveled
a silent cry of a newborn babe

cloud
sucking up the sea
rain

swimming in May breeze
a carp streamer

paper mouth
only the wind knows
the message

their legs busy in communication
two ants in a mountain trail

never homeless
an ancient spirit protects
the earthly nest

a black kite circling
in the west a day moon

shine under a lid
diagonal crossing
the inner view

shadow reaching for mudsnails
mudfish on the run

hurrying footsteps
faster than the wind
cherry petals fall

leaves fallen
stone lantern in the sun

such a tiny sky
above the pagoda
canopied by cedar trees

through a paper sliding door
the coolness of a drizzle

young bamboo shoots
yesterday's letter
now too old

head flung back
wild name of stallion

a butterfly choosing
the hermit's gray hair
as her transitory rest

fossils sway up on the sea
oil in tankers

near the ancient cave
flint arrow heads pop up
after the first spring shower

opens all one wants
tongue of a hidden smile

plastic windmill
clattering at the foot
of the stone image of Jizo

freshly raked garden
the dust cloud includes a monk

pale moon
at the root of edelweiss
old pilgrim's rusted coin

soap bubble gathers
sky color on my mouth

sound mirrors
breath of a flutist
trembling fingers

the jazz restaurant floor
carpeted with peanut shells

walking house
in shallow waters
turtle at home

black heron on the wing
bombing the white lotus

needle storm
window opens pine smell
to the house

amid the dark wood reflection
a crane standing on its leg

January 15, 1990 - October 15, 1990
Sakata, Yamagata Pref., Japan - Gualala, California, USA