Scrabbling in the ground, I search for flowers
Alas, it is winter, and the trees are barren.
Do you remember the bird you loved as a child?
You clipped its wings so it would stay
Forever gilded in its cage in golds and silvers,
Yet it would not sing.
When I close my eyes, the shadows meld behind me
A thousand nameless faces, a thousand faceless names
October drifts slowly. The night is longer still
Trapped under the red light of the everlasting moon.
Kagome Kagome.
Trying out a different style, inspired by a Japanese children’s rhyme, Kagome Kagome. My take was on a theory that the lyrics refer to the experiences of “a woman forced into prostitution, who has seen so many men, she cannot remember all of them and wonders when she will be able to escape” (Wiki). I reenvisaged some of her struggles/emotions in the setting of the “Floating world” of the Edo era. Commonly referred to as the “flowers” of the red-light district, the prostitutes/courtesans were not allowed outside the walls except for once a year for Hanami (viewing cherry blossoms). The title “Sleepless Town” refers to Kabukicho, Tokyo’s modern red-light district, perhaps nebulously drawing a parallel to the similar experiences in the present day. Also inspired by an old Japanese folk song Obokuri Eeumi, a haunting and beautiful song about a person and their family living in poverty. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQtkLNTmRs. Hope I was being respectful with cultural references (please let me know if I need to change anything).
