City Lights

Kyoto's sky is dull this summer night compared to

The bright city lights that surround us;

but still it looms ever present,

darkened and lonely

empty abandoned

its presence gone

unnoticed

Among the occupied residents immersed in those city lights

That shimmer like stars

But are really just pieces of neon plastic hung

From printed tapestry.

The lights are all that they can see,

And I can't help but smile brighter

when rain begins to fall over the illuminated city.


8:00 PM (Japan time), June 13, 2007