blowing through the arcade

April Fool’s Day, and I was had.

Checking my work Discord channel this morning, I saw a message from a co-worker saying, Did you see the email from our manager? We’re finally going to get raises for each new contract we sign—an extra $50 a month.

Fucker! was the only word that came to mind when I realized I had been taken for a sucker.

Shortly after, my good three-piece suit on, I start changing my youngest son’s diapers and somehow end up with poop smeared down the leg of my trousers.

Yes. April is off to a good start, and so is the new fiscal year in Japan.

(1)

spring’s golden haze
knocks at my door
achoo!

(2)

cool jazz
blowing through the arcade
a misty breeze

(3)

touching my face
handprints left behind
on a mirror

(4)

before the day blooms
the first sip of coffee
quiet and dark

(5)

winter waves
replaced by
gentle murmurings

(6)

all the buildings here
monolithic and concrete
named after flowers

(7)

lying in the street
a neighborhood stray
flicks its tail and yawns

As always, thank you for reading.
All poems and images are original. If you have any comments, feedback, or suggestions, please feel free to share them.