Koan Kola

Koan Kola

Near the town of the Teri-Yaki burger
And green soda fantasies, dreams in drink.
Red lanterns lead you to Takao's temple,
Amongst the forest-covered mountain peaks.

The smell of incense mingles with the taste
Of sak?, the sound of coins falling,
Two hands clapping and silent praying.
A little higher stands a sandal shrine,
Which includes a pair of training shoes.

Children scream and play around the fearsome
Giants, that bulge astride the temple's gate.
Guarding the holy along with the tengu,
Mountain spirits, still haunting some of those
Who quietly kneel. A busy man shouts to
His wife as if to say, 'You've paid your dues'.

A conch calls, a bell rings, shaven heads
On saffron robes come chanting down the hill.
The scene becomes scenery, their background
As quiteness surrounds their walk, and the thrill
Of the different pulls in more than the faithful.
Heads bow before the prayers and temple pyre;
Tokyo is more than a train away.
As the priest commits a text to the fire,
And what is burnt is what we cannot say.

Date mostly written: 1988