New Year's Day - Akashi City

on the jetty
on the jetty
smoke drifts over fishing boats
out toward Awaji Island

a cluster of photographers
hope to get a good shot of the sunset
but it`s cloudy

at five o`clock the chimes
sound from the school
no sunset
the cameramen pack it in

in the distance the lighthouse flashes

the little Sumiyoshi shrine is closed
a few omikuji tied to branches speak of
last night's festivities

--Ross Bender