Big, Cylinder Drums
Lets out a thunderous sound
The taiko goes "Boom"

Pair of wooden sticks
Strike the surface of the drum
The taiko goes "Boom"

A group of people
Create a sound together
The taiko goes "Boom"

Music and Movement
Together; with a heartbeat
The taiko goes "Boom"

We come together
To see and feel the drum's voice
The taiko goes "Boom"

The fue's light sound
Separates the light from dark
The taiko goes "Boom"

The Rain Stick's light sound
Collides with the drum's big storm
The taiko goes "Boom"

The songs we perform
Celebrate the trials we've been
The taiko goes "Boom"

Blasts of Energy
Pours out towards the audience
The taiko goes "Boom"

Courage, Confidence
Determination; (all) Paid Off.
The taiko goes "Boom."

DON.
ka
DON DON.
ka
Repetitive rhythms,
Palms burning red.
All in unison, we bang the center -
And hit the drum's edge,

The audience
below
can feel the rumble
in their hearts:

Taiko.

That nameless spark
The one that starts in your diaphragm
you think it’s your breath,
but it gets stuck

Chest—hot
Breath—ragged
Heart—taiko beat

But you turned away...

“Didn’t want to start something”
You said

“Smart for you, sad for me”
I said

...Incompatible, I rationalized

What to do now?

Did we dodge a bullet?

Would your woundedness have moved
Through me and left a mark?

Your hesitation has.

“Everyone is complicated”
You told me after you kissed my neck

Do I stay soft?

Stay open?

I didn’t know when you said “everyone”
you meant yourself

fast hearts beat
with the rhythm of taiko drums
urgent yet peaceful
reassured in their consistency
every touch flattering
and flirting with danger
of the possibility of us
whispering longing dreams
through the haze of sleep

i wish for the future
of when we no longer need
to dance around one another
when we finally embrace
with no fear for the future
when i can hold your hand in mine
and peacefully drift off to sleep
with only dreams of happiness
and your heart beating close to mine

wait for me,
just a little longer
my dreams lie with you
and my future as well