“I think that’s enough for tonight, Nobuo.” The young boy’s father had stood in the doorway for thirty minutes, moved by his son’s unwavering focus and diligence. He knew he would have continued through the night if he was allowed. “Just one more, daddy,” he responded, his tone respectful but determined. Nobuo turned his head to give an almost pleading look; his father simply nodded.  “Lights out in five minutes.” The lum...

The ice tinkled against the glass as I raised it to my lips, enjoying the warmth of the late evening sun on my face. The view from the hotel veranda was sublime, out across the Pacific vastness to meet the vivid blue sky at the horizon. It was plain to see why many considered these islands a paradise, and why they were such a popular destination among holidaymakers.  There was a secluded beach below where, during the day,...

You say the words, Even as they teeter At the edge of my tongue. You give voice to thoughtsNot yet fully formedIn my mind.  You articulate my opinions,So I better understandMy own heart. I know your reaction Well before you give it.I know your passions,What ignites and stokes them. In sync, but unpredictable;Familiar, never dull.Still you surprise me,Astound me, amaze me. You always will.

Worn down,Worn out,Day after day,Until unspilled tearsBurnWith the doubt. “Respect” is just a word,Not understoodNor valued.The more given,The more painWhen not received. Quit!Then what?Places, faces change;Poison lingers.FailureIs just as painful. Dig deeper, persevere;Determine, again.No one saidHuman RevolutionWould be easy.No one else can do it. Inner transformation,Realigning,Day after day.Repay debts of gratitude,Un...

Not a head does not turn towards the destruction, drawn by the brutal symphony of sound, held rapt by the morbid visual. Everyone sees some part of the meticulously planned yet seemingly barbaric disassembly, almost walking into one another as they crane their necks. Children, the most vocal of us about their fascination with destruction, yet to learn the shame of it, point and exclaim; their parents use them as an excuse...

I'm sure you don't remember the first time we met. I say "met"; it was but a brief moment in which two strangers passed each other by, one barely noticing the other, if at all, but leaving an unmistakably profound impression on him—on me. No, I am certain you do not remember, but I will never forget, for it was the moment that the seed of my love for you was planted.It was late in May, early in the morning—I could tell yo...

Coach B is the Quiet Coach. It is a good place to think, to reflect and from which to draw inspiration. It is a silent movie and my mind writes the title cards. I always travel in Coach B, though it is always at the far end of the platform. For four and a half hours, it is my high-speed cocoon in which complete anonymity is mine for the taking. I smile as I board; I like this place. Though I travel alone, I book a table s...

I lie there, flat on my back, sore and disoriented. Blinking against the darkness, I begin to comprehend my surroundings but make no attempts to move yet, growing accustomed to the dull ache in my muscles. I've fallen into some sort of chasm, a deep and narrow gorge of essentially nothing but gravel and an inexplicable cold draft. Sheer rock faces rise up on either side of me, impressive yet unthreatening. Though I strugg...

I stand at the end of the path for a moment, staring at the modest home before me. This is the place; this is the address I was given. I am not really sure what waits for me inside but I have a feeling that I was right to come here, that my friend was right to invite me. This aspect of his life had always sparked my curiosity but only now had I accepted his invitation to find out what it is really about. I reach the door...

There are worse things I could do than write a bad poem or two. I could write of love that I have known, love that I have lost. I could compare her (whoever she is) to some flower, some painting, or (heaven forbid) some summer’s day. I could tell of heartbreak and heartache and use some clever metaphor about the sea to express the turmoil my life is in. I could hide a cryptic message in a few ambiguous verses. I could pre...