Visit

I have a mysterious friend.
When I turn grey,
I walk into her safe cave.  

On the way to the visit,
anticipation and unease travel with me.
Along the way, small encounters:
the loud morning glory outside the window,
a fluffy mother and daughter in the seat ahead,
an old house on the corner telling its stories,
a Mochi whispering sorry on the table.  

When I arrive,
I follow her deeper inside.
My gaze trails after the black leather shoes shaped like two little boats.
Loose shoelaces drift like eelgrass.

We float in the water, aimless—
the stream cold enough to sting.
I nearly get pulled into a violent whirlpool.
She steadies me with a firm voice, gently holding me up.  

I breathe in—one, two, three, four…
almost drowned,
I lift my head above the surface.
Large drops of water still cling to my face.
It’s okay. I am safe.
I wipe the water away and hold a soft cushion.
we continue drifting together in the small boat.
Looking up, the clouds seem edged with silver.  

Time passes easily;
we never say goodbye—
we only set a date between crossings.  

On the way back,
the train enters a long tunnel,
complete darkness,
like my black pupils,
which will eventually meet the light.

2025.12.26