Poet of today in Kyoto, Japan:

Takashi Arima

Midorogaike Pond

It’s early December now

but a small stereo set in the bar

plays “Summertime”.

Only the two of us

sit around the table.

A Valentine bottle reposes on it.

Half-drunken I rise

and open the door to go home.

A chilly wind blows my hot cheeks.

- I say goodbye

She says goodbye

A small handshake

This evening with you, near the pond,

was somehow pleasant for me.

I’m content with the small talk we had.

I’ll leave you and go into lemon-colour moonlight

without kissing you.

And now, the same poem in its Japanese original version :