Silk cranes
fold their wings
like origami birds;
they dance
across a golden screen
framed with black lacquer;
orange, white and pink peonies
tempt butterflies
to brush their wings
on satin stamens.
Chrysanthemums float
in tea.
Behind the screen, a girl
young as a rosebud
swirls a kimono,
scuffles wood sandals
along a tatami mat, and longs
for her first taste
of passion fruit.
