Mt. Fuji rises

Above the clouds

The sun will soon

Rise again

This much is very clear

One cannot stand

On this ledge

Of time

And not see the future

Traveling back to a day

In 1978

Wounded ship on crutches

Sits in drydock on wobbly legs

Hastily provided

To keep her afloat

Above the murky waters

Of Tokyo Bay

From the deck one can see

The snow-covered peak

Far above the tree-line

Turn…and one can also see

Tokyo skyline

Bustle…hustle

They are busy

In the east

Ready to rise once more

Feel the shudder throughout the keel

Will she ever float again?

~

Mike Carson

2-15-2008