Japan Revealed

[FredFourth]

They knew little English.
Counter girls simper,
gaijins arrive,
kowtow and giggle
at the big noses.

A hotel box fitted
with bathroom,
a television and
bed with duvet.
Japan apparently short of space
or a small people short of leg room

Winding streets, narrow for
even smaller cars.
Shinsho-ji-Temple such quiet ambiance.
Strangers bow in the streets, smiling good-will
behind a cultural hedge

Japanese schoolgirls displaying
bent limbs, chubby legs, unequal gaits
splayed in or out – odd - disquieting.

The Temple towered over the sky
its black colossal timbers
impressing the gods in scale.

Manicured gardens - hand clipped
weave peace and harmony,
waves rolling on a shallow
shore - tended by invisible monks.
Incense blocks burn – smouldering in
pedestals - wafting precious and evocative
odours – pleasing the senses

He dined at the hotel - the food
nondescript - unappetising
inedible – uneatable. Apparently
Japanese can’t cook or refuse to
employ accomplished chefs

Enduring images:
a porter bowing
to a bus, ignored for his pains
faithful in his duty.

The woman at passport control
caressed him with her eyes
that shone like diamonds in brightness
She smiles enigmatically
He paused wanting to ask of
the mystery of Japan. He
was slightly taken with her . . .

[Billy]

There are some nice moments and descriptions here, but I want something to hold on to, like an atmosphere or singular moment that is indelible to my memory. Who is the third person in the final stanza? Is it the first person who is part of the we in stanza 7?

[FredFourth]

Yes, same person, will have to think.