January 12th, 2003
The continuing craze for all things Japanese and anime in America has led me to become, almost by accident, fascinated with Japanese culture and history. This, in turn, has caused me to seek an out view as many Kurosawa films as I can get my paws on. As a result I have learned enough to know that I have a lot more to learn about Japanese culture and I have become a devoted fan of Akira Kurosawa. The following poem is partly a result of this new interest and partly the result of my lifelong fascination with stories and mythology. It was also a dream.
I regret that my knowledge of the myth or myths of the rabbit in the moon is sketchy at best. So I apologize for any potential butchering of the myth. But I love the imagery of it too much to not use it.
And do you really think the rabbit is gone?
Now that your science has proven that the moon
Is only rock
And nothing more?
Do you, oh you champions of science,
Do you think your enemy lies dead?
What did you expect to find
When you invaded his home
With your machines
With your cold scepticism
Masquerading as honest curiosity?
Rabbits, like gods, are timid
But they are not easily beaten
And when I look up sometimes at night
I still see him,
The Rabbit in the Moon, looking down.
Laughing.