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.
.
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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.
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