Today’s poem and photos come to you from a city cold and grey and drear – it’s winter here. But there’s Christmas cheer, and the Buddha, and Shinto shrines too. The lights that glow in the Christmas trees and the gingko trees with their yellow leaves made me want to share some of Tokyo with you.
Leaves in Tokyo
The gingko trees sing bright yellow songs
While Tiffany works in her window of blue.
The pond beckons softly – come rest here, my darlings –
While Buddha sits patiently waiting for you.
Girls with pale faces dream of fine dresses,
The black and white head neither wanders nor weeps.
The buildings show off –
Then gently she sleeps.
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Thank you so much, Bill and Chrissy Hagerty, for the warm hospitality!
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Reading on the plane: 1Q84, by Haruki Murakami.
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Bonus photos:
December 10, 2017 at 5:37 am
Oh, I was hoping we’d get a post from Tokyo! You’re an excellent foreign correspondent! These pictures are beautiful. Safe travels home!
December 10, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Thank you so much for all warm wishes and kind words, Mary! I’m so glad you enjoyed today’s post! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 7:56 am
Fabulous photojournalism! What a gorgeous post about an incredible trip. Thank you for sharing.
December 10, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Gus maybe gets a little annoyed when I’m taking 1000 pictures but then I have so much fun thinking about them afterwards. 🙂 Thank you so much, Carrington! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 9:01 am
Oh so good! We are sorely missing the Hagertys, especially this time of year. Thank you for the postcard and poem. Happy holidays!
December 10, 2017 at 5:00 pm
The Hagertys have settled in beautifully. I love their bravery in taking on this enormous challenge and adventure for the whole family. And I love hearing from you, Ashley! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 9:21 am
Beautiful photos! Enjoy your trip and thank you for sharing!
December 10, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Thank you so much, dear Carolyn! I’m trying not to think of how much there is to get done when I get home! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 9:29 am
Wonderful share! Thank you!
December 10, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Hi Jane! I’m delighted you enjoyed this! I hope all’s well with you! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 10:16 am
These are just amazing. I wanna go!
December 10, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Thank you, Don! And – I am certain that a trip to Tokyo is in your future. Iwas terribly sorry that I couldn’t make it out to Disney. Xo
December 10, 2017 at 11:48 am
So calm and welcome in this rushed season.
Arigatogozaimashita, Jennifer.
December 10, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Ridley, is it possible that you know Japanese and I don’t know this? (And – thank you) – xo
December 10, 2017 at 12:46 pm
What did you think of 1Q84? Slow read for me – but maybe I was not in the same frame of mind you were flying east.
December 10, 2017 at 6:05 pm
It felt good to me to get immersed in it on a long plane flight, but I think I would feel differently if I were trying to read it at home. I’m only about halfway through the 1000+pages. Let’s chat for sure when I finish! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Stunning photos and luminous prose, Jen! ❤️❤️
December 10, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Thank you so much, Lyn- and I loved your post so much today! Xo
December 10, 2017 at 6:38 pm
Loved the post — happy to see photos of your travels. And I think your readers would always be happy to have a little mini feature on what you are reading during your travels.
December 10, 2017 at 7:25 pm
Hi Sara! I’m so happy to hear from you! And will for sure write up something – thank you for the encouragement! Xo