Thanks Bob,

As you find in the poem, there's lots of thinks under the surface in Japan
and, yes, fans can speak volumes. This happened five years ago and it still
sticks in my mind. A specific number of ladies? I'll think of a number as I
can't remem ber now.



bw
James





>From: Bob Cooper <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: New sub:On The Train To Kumero
>Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 17:37:04 +0000
>
>Hi James,
>This poem is growing on me as the days pass! I'm getting to appreciate the
>rhythm and the dry wit it shows time and time again.
>I wonder of the "some Japanese ladies" could be a specific number of ladies
>(3,4,5 or?). It sounds more specific, adds a genuineness to it all for
>me...
>And why would their fans flap harder? I'm guessing it must be surprise...
>but it could be other things... is there a kind of Japanese convention of
>different fan flaps for expressing different feelings?
>But I like the feeling I get from the poem... a kind of settling in
>feeling,
>a kind of pleasure at being inscrutable, and a sense that so little appears
>on the surface (even the mountain has mere whiffs!).
>Canny,
>Bob
>
>
>>From: James Bell <[log in to unmask]>
>>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: New sub:On The Train To Kumero
>>Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2003 09:24:36 +0000
>>
>>I was down with flu last week so was quiet as far as posting was
>>concerned.
>>It semed to take me back and become a little reflective rather than
>>respond
>>to the moment which I have been doing. This is a result and recalls an
>>incident during my time in Japan about five years ago and which a series
>>of
>>poems I recorded for my CD are based on too. So this is a reprise.
>>
>>ON THE TRAIN TO KUMERO
>>
>>Settled at last in a window seat
>>I watch as Karuizawa slides
>>away and the window view becomes
>>paddy field and foothills full of gingko
>>foliage that clothe the furthest reaches
>>of Mount Asama's mighty bulk.
>>Today it puffs out stray whifs
>>of smoke as continued suggestion that
>>greater power sleeps within
>>its black volcanic rock.
>>
>>On the seats alongside us
>>some Japanese ladies cannot contain
>>their mirth any longer at the sight
>>of a gaijin with a beard
>>and wearing a Panama hat
>>while travelling on the local train to Kumero;
>>a town that does not exist
>>in official guides and on tourist maps.
>>
>>The ladies' fans would flap harder
>>if they knew I'd slept last night
>>in comfort on futon and tatami.
>>The ladies mirthful fans would
>>reach a frenzy if they also knew
>>I'd made this train journey before,
>>a few days ago, when I ate
>>two plates of yaki soba at a favoured restaurant
>>and bought my Panama hat
>>at a men's outfitters in Kumero.
>>
>>
>>
>>bw
>>James
>>
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