by Iain Maloney
in Tsurumai Park
the cosplayers gather
first day of spring
a murmuration;
joggers, baseball teams
stretching in the sunlight
she walks like a dancer;
the willow bows
under the starling’s sway.
Look at me!
Cosplayer
Peony
Poet
the cosplayers shiver
murky in lamplight
the setting sun
after dark
it’s too cold
for poetry
standing on his pedals
an old man freewheels;
sparkle of starlight
the spring moon
brittle and blazing
a secret in everyday clothes
they pack themselves away
ume blossom
mauve in the twilight
in Japan
farewells are long
goodbyes sudden
Editor’s Note on In Tsurumai Park:
In Tsurumai Park is not the first piece that Eastlit has published by Iain Maloney.The following work has featured in Eastlit:
- Hitoshi and the Orange Peel Mystery was in Eastlit February 2013.
- China: A Sequence appeared in Eastlit April 2013.
- Kyorai’s Hut was in Eastlit November 2013.
- This Too Shall Pass featured in Eastlit June 2014.
- Turnstile was published in Eastlit October 2014.
- Sanctuary appeared in Eastlit December 2015.
You can also read Eastlit’s Iain Maloney interview.
