By: John Grey
___
A JAPANESE GIRL PREPARES
Day begins with
a reflection in a koi pond
that drifts apart
with the curve of a hand
applying powder
to translucent skin.
Berry-stained lips,
do not speak.
merely drift across
the silk at her throat
from right to left.
In fingerprints of white dust,
her face appears in the mirror,
hair is black
legs folded beneath her
in a diagonal, revealing
a moment of self-scrutiny.
like a brush into a palette
or a body dripping
moisture from a bath.
Morning begins in a glance
of huge white birds.
floating between trees
in a framed picture on the wall,
rising to be themselves,
from deep snow in the country
of the corner of her eye.
To design herself,
she kneels at a low table
practices pleasure:
on her pale sheen,
tracing beauty
with powder and blush,
spread over cheeks and brow,
stenciled like a mask,
darkened where eyes narrow
and the light pleases from the inside.
She is set apart
by the nape of her neck,
the lemon kimono,
the calm desirable face,
the glowing fingernails,
the rice-paper doors,
the elegant fan,
that gather around
the chrysanthemum
in her hand
and its holy tints of white.
Bio: John Grey
John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in Orbis, Dalhousie Review, Ink, Sweat & Tears, and Connecticut River Review.
His latest book, “Leaves On Pages” is available through Amazon.
More poetry from John Grey on Two Drops of Ink
Two Drops of Ink publishes poetry, prose, and problem solving for the writer and blogger. Care to submit? Here are the guidelines.