Russell Endo


Dream

My name means /progress/ in Japanese,
the “progress” of prosperity and good fortune.
The dust that could cleave
through makeshift barracks in Arizona
whetted my parents'
taste for the American Dream.
But my luck will have to be different.
I want my wheels to skim like blades in the wind
across all ruts.
I want my wheels to spin so fast
we stand still.
Are you with me? Say
it, Susumu.

-previously published in The American Poetry Review


Tocaner

When art is long and we are strong
will we know then that we belong?
When the water is deep and we are weak
what is it that we shall really seek?
Will we know then that we belong --
if all suffering is for all mankind
what is it that we shall really seek
when body leaves and mind goes too?
If all suffering is for all mankind,
spools unraveling thin, silken threads;
when body leaves and mind goes too,
white hairs, strands of genetic imprint?
Spools unraveling thin, silken threads
leaving thin memories to someone else,
white hairs, strands of genetic imprint,.
the little things left getting smaller, smaller,
leaving memories to someone else,
bits and pieces – how small does it get?
The little things left, getting smaller, smaller:
there is a flow blowing through the whole.
Bits and pieces: how small does it get --
when water is deep and we are weak?
There is a flow blowing through the whole
when art is long and we are strong.

-previously published in Poetry


Proximities

The river is flowing without end.
It inches along in arcs and bends.
There may be gurgling in the strata,
there is pulsing along its surface.
It inches along in arcs and bends;
it grinds and wears down rocks to tears:
there is pulsing along its surface
as each moment and its goals merge.
It grinds and wears down rocks to tears.
The river begins to know its banks
as each moment, and its goals, merge,
as particulars flow so much better….
The river begins to know its banks --
it speeds and presses in lesser curves
as particulars flow so much better;
the length of history becomes clearer.
It speeds and presses in lesser curves;
it slows down against harder rock;
the length of history becomes clearer.
It may take patience to learn its path.
It slows down against harder rock,
pondering all obstacles head-on.
It may take patience to learn its path,
looking beyond one’s own future,
pondering all obstacles head-on:
there may be gurgling in the strata,
looking beyond one’s own future:
the river is flowing without end.

　
Dragonflies

Their lines cleave glowing paths in the air,
so quick, veering in angles and spaces,
iridescences alluring, a summer blur,
latitudes and longitudes of zigzag,
so quick, veering in angles and spaces,
scintillating remembrances, glittering
latitudes and longitudes of zigzag:
past and present refracting in the eyes
scintillating remembrances glittering,
with multitudinous all-seeing eyes--
past and present refracting in the eyes --
shimmering energies from the sun,
with multitudinous all-seeing eyes:
the pond a single expanse of mind
shimmering energies from the sun,
shedding off past experiences,
the pond a single expanse of mind,
incarnations of lustrous time
shedding off past experiences,
unaware of their only season?
Incarnations of lustrous time,
iridescences alluring, a summer blur,
unaware of their only season,
their lines cleave glowing paths in the air.

-both poems previously published in Full Circle Journal