This is why

we’re here

to find ourselves

in the middle of nowhere

— Jeffrey Yamaguchi

This poem and photograph originally appeared in the literary magazine Mojave Heart Review.

The stars that aren’t there
map a nightly journey
along the water’s edge
to a path through overgrown bush
where I can lie down
on a conjured bench
and watch the leaves fall

— Jeffrey Yamaguchi

Awoke to find ourselves
in the same grove of trees
we can’t quite place
When were we there?
Never said we couldn’t
have the same dreams
Nothing left for us to do
but go back to sleep
and look for each other
once again in the grove of trees
we can’t quite place

— Jeffrey Yamaguchi

The dream had set an exquisite table
I was met by myself
and together we shared a meal
Just before dawn
we woke ourselves up
at once not remembering
a word of the conversation

— Jeffrey Yamaguchi

The mirror of all our moments
a jagged, endless weaving
of crash and caress
slips back into the sea

— Jeffrey Yamaguchi