Notes for the Tokyo Umbrella Dance

I. 

At the subway mouth

umbrellas spring open

one after the other

             and scatter,

bobbing along wet streets.

Beneath them, feed

echo rain’s patter.

 II.

Dark stage. Sudden entry.

White umbrellas open

pop, pop, pop

                 syncopated.

Dip and bob alone, in pairs

across the stage, heels tapping.

            White umbrellas

group, reform, and exit, 

            closing as they go.

III. 

Under the oiled paper umbrella

they pause. Cherry petals tap

a soft rhythm above their heads.

They whisper,

               it was Japan,

what else could they whisper?

Good-bye, good-bye.