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Poem

Chris Magadza

Narita Airport

Narita Airport

Narita Airport

When I watch the youth,
Abustle and ahustle,
Launching themselves
To unknown lands,
To unknown peoples,
To discovery and adventure
And perhaps undiscovered friends:

Careless of the future,
Chasing Eros
And the gods of mirth
And happiness,
And not worrying
About tomorrow’s meal
Nor tomorrow’s shelter

I feel like
The last passenger
On the last train
To the last destination.

But,
Unlike Tithonus,
Desired by an immortal goddess,
Aphrodite beautiful,
Begged for immortality,
I am blessed
With the gift
Of death.


Tokyo, 1998
Close

Narita Airport

When I watch the youth,
Abustle and ahustle,
Launching themselves
To unknown lands,
To unknown peoples,
To discovery and adventure
And perhaps undiscovered friends:

Careless of the future,
Chasing Eros
And the gods of mirth
And happiness,
And not worrying
About tomorrow’s meal
Nor tomorrow’s shelter

I feel like
The last passenger
On the last train
To the last destination.

But,
Unlike Tithonus,
Desired by an immortal goddess,
Aphrodite beautiful,
Begged for immortality,
I am blessed
With the gift
Of death.


Tokyo, 1998

Narita Airport

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