Gion
by Thomas Andrews
Gion
Gion at dusk
dimlight from behind wooden slatted doors and windows
barely intrudes onto the shadowed street
Shijo bridge nearby
the templed hills move closer
suddenly a maiko hastens past almost noiselessly
carrying provisions to her mistress' tryst
her elaborate kimono and swift movement
her lacquered geta scraping the street
a vision of multicoloured fabrics whiteface flawless hair
swirling as the hyoshigi claps in sharp rhythm unseen
red lanterns ignite
in the interval of her passing
i become the anachronism
rows of noren snap
Gion, Kyoto
Thomas Andrews is an ex-Tokyo resident and poet who now lives in Vancouver. Gion was first read at the Tokyo Rose performence poetry event in 1998.