Four Poems
hooded waves
reflect the failing day
a chronic echolalia
in the pendulum
of a faceless clock
words without wings
a war-torn playground
sand for things
slipping through the hourglass
childhood brings
balancing
on a ball
the thin child
holds his breath
and waves his arms like a bird
a marble god
rests his ruined stare
on the thin smile
of a new moon
slipping into her bath
Robert Witmer has resided in Japan for the past 45 years. Now an emeritus professor, he has had the opportunity to teach courses in poetry and creative writing not only at his home university in Tokyo but also in India. His poems and prose poetry have appeared in many print and online journals and books. His first book of poetry, a collection of haiku titled Finding a Way, was published in 2016. A second book of poetry, titled Serendipity, was published earlier this year (2023). An author’s page for Robert Witmer can be found at both the Poets & Writers and AuthorsDen websites.