PINE
after Yuki Tanaka
In the Japanese garden in the middle of the city, they hold out their hand and stop time. Raindrops just before slipping into a universe of ripples. A cloud of moss in the pond, mid-toss between two carp camouflaged in sunset. Standing alone in the center of this familiar old bridge, they turn back toward the shore. Half in shadows by a pair of black pine, a familiar figure faces a man whose mouth lifts open. Too far away to hear his voice, but they still remember every word: When we die, I hope we're reborn as two trees standing side by side. They drop their hand, and the moment passes in a breath of wind. They shiver. Autumn soon. When they finish crossing the bridge, raindrops begin making soft music with pine needles as they fall, and everything exhales back into motion.
lae astra is an artist and writer who calls Tokyo home. Their work can be found in Astrolabe, fifth wheel press, Feral, Strange Horizons, and elsewhere. They are a Pushcart nominee. You can find them at laeastra.com/links.
