In the many nights of being strong and being weak,
In confusion and distraught, to chance upon the light of a teahouse,
a woman who dances lightly on a dainty colored cloth.
A man who wanted comfort, seeking a companion,
Found it in a silk embroidered kimono.
His head snuggling in her lap while she tousles his hair,
A ray of hope and continuance is offered.
Of Nightmares as he sleeps, she watches him in wonder
Furrowed brows of support, when will it end?
He leaves once again, she watches from a distance.
His footsteps to echo of something to be done.
She waits for a word, too long to keep her strength.
And only a stark deafness will be returned.
In suffering silence she will fly out the window,
To escape and be near that one whom she loves.
She vows to wear a smile in the first sign of his shadow,
Visions of running through grass, into thin but strong arms.
He stares at a tanto, eyes gliding upon a grain of rice.
Thinking of sunsets, of poems and the lyric sound of the Kato.
She dances beautifully with a silk fan on her hand,
The first time he met her and now to close his eyes not even a goodbye.
A soft rapping to the window, in his white robe he slowly moves closer,
Glancing through wooden bars a smile he'd have wanted.
"When will you see me Keisuke-san?" Her eyes flutter secretly observant.
Her breathing masked and her voice chirps in false coyness.
"Not right now for I am busy... But soon I'll make true to my promise.
Be supportive Akesato-san... Trust me to come home
In time, to you the only woman, I've loved. You know you will be my last."
He closes the window with a smile, while he heard her footsteps subside.
A life is irreplaceable especially to a precious few.
To admit to die and to allow to die, it takes the strongest lot in men.
But the woman whom he loves, is the strongest of all.
For she knew he was leaving and gave him a smile,
to lighten his heart in the few moments of peace through the everlasting darkness.