Alita Pirkopf/Poetry

 

TEAHO– USE IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN
The young man
and the ancient
Japanese flute
make sounds
like breath
and wind,
like rain
and river,
make sounds
that soar—like birds—
sounds that sing—
toward evening’s silence,
sounds
we are told,
of water dripping—
from the back
of an East Asian
crane.
Last visitors
leaving the gardens
make scuffling sounds
before silence
on pathways of small stones.
I observe
from inside
the teahouse,
a glassless, reed,
and wood window—
with only these reflections.

 

About the poet:

Alita Pirkopf became increasingly interested in feminist interpretations of literature after receiving a master’s in English Literature from the University of Denver. Eventually, she enrolled in a poetry class at the University of Denver taught by Bin Ramke, and poetry became a long-term focus and obsession. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Alembic, RiverSedge, and others.