THE DANCE ON THE STAGE

by Sonoko Yasumori

The tip of the folding fan points the way.
In the distance humans walk a steady pace,
Our hopes spread before us.

The pleasures of life, suffering,
     jarring reality are fused together,
And I become a dancing body.

I return the fan to my breast after folding it closed,
The fire of life lit by the dance warms my body,
Brings forth a fresh stream of blood,
      and marks the passage of time.

The fan knows everything;
     it pushes me forward and judges my heart.
The fan instructs me to raise a light
     at the peak of the mountain of art.

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