1940, 1970 and Today – plus other poems - 14. Kinmokusei

.

Poem No. 36 ^[13]

Tanka:

The first moment down

Amid the squeal of the bar;

But dark and quiet,

All eyes fall to Hubert's arms,

While he looks only at me.

Poem No. 37

The less oppressed are we,

The greater we rise

To the occasion of

Our liberty.

Poem No. 38

There is no beauty like

that of man himself;

no god his better,

no devil his equal.

(Original, crossed-out version:)

There is no beauty

like unto man himself;

no god as powerful,

no devil as accountable.

Poem No. 39 ^[14]

Tanka:

In the street or train,

The smell of autumn’s peaches

Finds me still and rich,

To remind me life, like they,

Fall swift as kinmokusei.

~

--------------------------------------------------------

[13] “The first moment down” Hubert was a bartender at Arty-Farty, a foreigner-friendly bar and dance club in Tokyo’s Gay neighborhood, Shinjuku Ni-Chome [pronounced Knee-Cho’may]. From Hong Kong, he cut a striking figure. Tall, handsome, slightly cross-eyed, he spent much time at the gym honing his impeccably sculpted arms, the upper parts of which he showcased by only wearing muscleman Ts when he worked. We'd sometimes go have coffee on his breaks, or something stronger after the bars closed at 2 a.m.

[14] “In the street or on the train” The kinmokusei (金木犀) referenced is to the plant Osmanthus fragrans. The orange blossoms of this smaller-sized tree appear in October with the most enchanting scent imaginable.

_