piece by piece
she gives herself
until all she is
she has
is consumed
by desire
desire
all night
saddle up
ride drive walk
through rain through snow
highways back roads
city streets
all night
for your smile
tanka 3 by Ono no Komachi
This night of no moon
There is no way to meet him.
I rise in longing–
My breast pounds, a leaping flame,
My heart is consumed in fire.
translated by Donald Keene
tanka 2 by Ono no Komachi
When my love becomes
All-powerful,
I turn inside out
My garments of the night,
Night dark as leopard-flower.
translated by Geoffrey Bownas & Anthony Thwaite
Untitled Poem by Yamabe No Akahito
I wish I were close
To you as the wet skirt of
A salt girl to her body.
I think of you always.
translated by Kenneth Rexroth
Leonard Durso 