Morning grey settles on the outer stairs.
Four flights down, non-combustibles in blue bins.
Sukada-san bends over the hydrangeas—
a nod,
a quiet ohayou,
the unspoken rules of the courtyard.
No lifts.
Just the rhythm of keycards,
wet asphalt,
and the 7:15 express pulling into platform two.
Headphones on.
The train sways silently through the suburb.
Inside the 2DK,
light wood over old concrete.
Laundry dries on the balcony rail
facing an ocean of identical roofs.
At dusk, the shotengai awakes.
Discount bento sticker at six-thirty.
Steam rising from the bath control unit—
a chime plays, telling me it’s ready.
Far from the estate,
yet the walls feel the same.
A vending machine glows soft amber in the rain.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 18th, 2026 06:53
- Comment from author about the poem: Here are footnotes for understanding Nihongo words used this poem: ¹ Ohayō (おはよう): A gentle, everyday Japanese greeting meaning "good morning," shortened from the more formal ohayō gozaimasu. ² Shōtengai (商店街): A traditional Japanese commercial street or covered shopping arcade, often located near train stations and lined with small local businesses like butchers, green-grocers, and discount food stalls. ³ Danchi (団地): A public or semi-public multi-unit housing complex built during Japan's mid-century economic boom. Originally symbolising modern middle-class aspirations, these concrete panel blocks now often carry a quiet retro nostalgia, housing a mix of older residents, foreign workers, and young renters seeking affordable, spacious living.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 8
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Comments7
Each line an image. A collage. Each image a feeling. Another collage one superimposed on the other and what immerges is nostalgia a savory broth served in a poetic bowel. Nicely done my friend.
Thank you so much, Soren 🙏🏻🕊️
Always a pleasure your poems are food for thought and a feast for the soul.
Always liked the Japanese, they have manners, trains that run on time, and a bit of decorum.
Though I hear the younger generation are becoming westernised and falling about the streets drunk.
It was bound to happen.
So true. The generational gap was more sharply noticeable with the cohorts that came out of the Lockdowns/Covid.
That vending machine at the end got me, Arqios...a tiny light holding the whole evening together. Enjoyed this a lot, Rik. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Yup, nothing like a portable fridge at every street corner!
much enjoyed my friend
Many thanks my friend.
most welcome
Good write A.
Thanks O!
Poems like this take you to another Place or Country without leaving your Chair.
The way other people live. There surroundings etc.
No Air fare needed.
Enjoyed.
That is money well spent!
Many a glossy observational traveloge does not have the kind of observatioal depth to enrich the experience you have given us here, Rik. Enjoyed thoroughly.
At your service my friend. 🤩🕊️
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