Tokugawa Yorifusa’s Covered Pavilion at Korakuen
By Michael Johnson

Garden all around,
feudal lords and courtesans
sat along this stream,
the rocks in it placed just so
for inspiration.
Cups of sake floated by,
and whoever failed
to write a verse before one
arrived had to drink
it empty. That would go on
far into the night,
two centuries ago in
Yorifusa’s pavilion.

— Johnson is a Kansas University English professor. Poet’s Showcase features work by area poets. Submit your poetry via e-mail with a subject line of Poet’s Showcase to mpaget@ljworld.com or send typewritten (not handwritten) submissions to Mindie Paget, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044, attn: Poet’s Showcase.