Calmness Of Red Koi

Calmness Of Red Koi
© Surazeus
2026 06 04

Purple irises sway among large stones 
white as dragon skulls in green shallow creek 
that glistens dark among maple and pines. 
Kyoko in furisode kimono 
with white and yellow blossoms on dark red 
kneels gracefully on large flat white stone. 

Seven hariwake koi slowly glide 
circles in dark green pool among white stones, 
scales shimmering with platinum vibrancy. 
Kyoko holds slender hosofude brush 
with patient stillness of the wind-bent pine 
to paint koi spirit on mulberry paper. 

Metallic scales of the koi with red tail 
gleams silver among heart-shaped lotus leaves 
to mirror timeless glow of the Sky Eye. 
Kyoko contemplates calmness of red koi 
while people murmur praise for sincere curves 
that reveal beauty in painting and haiku. 

Young girl holds apricot in mud-smeared hand, 
but cries as her drunk father snarls in rage 
and hits her mother with his one good arm. 
Kyoko shields her bruised mother, Sakura, 
and shouts with fearful courage at Chuzo 
that he should find his lost arm in the sea. 

Metallic roofs of cars gleam in hot sun 
as they whiz roaring on gray narrow road, 
honking as they race to control the wind. 
Kyoko in torn jeans and long purple hair 
stands on white cement bridge that arches high 
above the frantic traffic flow of glass. 

Though I was expelled from public high school 
because I punched math teacher in his face 
for groping me, I will mold my own future. 
Kyoko wearing black skirt suit with white blouse 
sits prim before glowing computer screen 
and quickly types handwritten documents. 

I was trapped in my painful memories, 
stuck blind in the past, but I turned around 
and walk on my own feet to claim my life. 
Kyoko stands on white stone in dark green creek 
and stares at white koi swimming in small pool 
while tears splash sun-white mirror of her heart. 

Purple irises bloom beside green creek 
with graceful elegance of fragile faith 
while bees hover with pollen-dusted legs. 
Kyoko bows to Sora in brown tweed coat, 
pours bancha tea in white porcelain cup, 
then gives him onamori amulet.