How did you manage

In such a short time 

Two weeks of my time

Give me a life time of yours

Approached with anxiety

Perhaps even trepidation 

A nervous excitement 

A sort of delirium 

With the softest of landings

Then scooped into the Shinkansen 

The magnetism began

As the tracks journeyed straight to my heart

With each embraced tradition

Whisking matcha tea

Adorned in geisha gowns 

Surrendering into healing Onsens

Stepping bowed headed

Into Shrines and Temples

Ringing bells

Unfolding fortunes

Tasting pickles

Slurping ramen 

Drinking plum wine

‘Gochisousama’

Back now in my own land

I savor my mochi

Cook my own ramen

Soak in my bathtub 

Feeling a loss

Harboring a longing

Miss feeling your kindness

Your welcome each morning

With awe for all your humility 

Your grace, your simple joyfulness

I kneel and surrender 

In thankfulness that we met.