Fireflies at Ochanomizu
The Kanda river — picturesque in twilight,
An aqueduct in snaking valleys long,
The houseboat set in candlelight effulgence,
The bride to be in reverential song.
Kobayashi at the prow, in moonlight,
Steering through the Ichigaya pass,
Fireflies in golden pin pricks sailing,
Through the curtain blackness and the grass.
In just one week we’ll wed in Koishikawa,
The lush botanic garden for a church,
Knit as one in holy matrimony,
Standing neath the Japanese white birch.
I can sense the love within her bosom!
As I guide our boat in moonlit paths;
Can you hear her singing “Sukiyaki”?
As we paddle through these sultry baths.
This our city — Tokyo — is exquisite,
Labyrinthine water neath the moon,
Fireflies awakening the magic!
Fumiko’s sweet voice a lilting swoon.
I can smell the ramen and tempura!
Cooked upon the embers of the fire,
Steam in ghostly wisps from out the windows,
As I note the moon ascending higher.
Will I make a faithful husband to her?
Will I sell enough to keep us fed?
Fish, caught from the gracious Kanda river,
As we tread the simple years ahead.
I will love her with a fearless passion,
Holding her in tenderness and love,
Pledging every day my sure devotion,
Witnessed by the faithful sun above.
I can just imagine every evening,
Sipping sake, ginjo-shu, so warm,
Making love atop the swaying river,
Comforting her person in the storm.
But, tonight, the fireflies they cheer me,
Sending hope in charming, precious rays,
As I contemplate a wedded future,
Love unto the ending of our days…
AD Lovkis, 08/08/25
adamdaniel 