Scene 1
Just off Shinjuku chuo koen North,
nestled in the courtyard
of the Green Tower, hides
Jyoufuji Temple, serene
in the first light of morning,
the sun dancing off the ceremonial
bell its striker poised, as if
waiting to catch the wind
and to it sing its resonant song.
Inside, the prayer mats await
the first supplicants of the day
below the sandalwood altar
and above it all, behind
the gossamer curtain, sitting lotus
Buddha smiles at the oneness.

Scene 2

Garish neon blazes
its siren call, Lucky 7777,
Vegas Land, Anima Parlor,
countless others, and inside
the Pachinko machines
scream out their riotous
cacophony, drowning thought
as the balls dance in their maze
indifferent to the intent stares
of the player, and the smoke
which covers the room
with its acrid pall.

Scene 3

In Roppongi, night
brings rebirth, the neon
jungle is lustful, and
the animals stir in response.
They line up outside
of the clubs dancing
to unheard music
captured by the ghosts
that yield the day
with a struggle.
The music pours out
over the streets,
an atonal sedoka
written in the sand.

First Published in Grayhound Journal, Issue 2, 2023
https://thegreyhoundjournal.com/read-tokyo/two-poems-from-louis-faber