WHEN SHINOBU SMILES

When Shinobu smiles at farewells involving crocodiles
When Shinobu laughs at foreigners in funny hats
When Shinobu dreams, all manner of things
On butterfly wings soar into the sky
And the universe sings through the littlest things.

When Shinobu cries, she doesn’t cry for very long
When Shinobu sings, she tries as in all other things
To think of others, to make it right
To do the right thing, but what’s the right thing
When the man of the house has fled like a mouse?

On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day there’s far too much to do
On Showa Day and Children’s Day there are far too few “Thank You’s.”
The incense burns on the Butsudan, but not a moment for herself
It’s her for them, or pure mayhem, even on the Buddha Shelf!
Arigato Kamisama Arigato for friends and family
Arigato Kamisama Arigato for Jean Paul, he’s so manly
Arigato Kamisama Arigato for chocolate and HaaganDazs
Arigato Kamisama Arigato I’ll be back just as soon as I floss

“Funny,” she says, “even when you’re filled with doubt”
“It’s funny,” she says, “how things have a way of working out”
“What’s funny?” I said.
“Oh, nothing, really. I was just thinking out loud with my head in a cloud:
If we only knew then what we know now”

If I only knew then, I never would have said goodbye
If I only knew then, I never would have made you cry
But neither knew then just as neither knows now
How beginnings must end and endings begin
Is it love without end or just the weekend?

You can tell me the truth: Do I look like a fool to you?
To tell you the truth: Of course you do, but I love you
This three-legged race we’ve come to retrace
It could have been you, it could have been me
But the question always is, “Will it be we?”

When Shinobu smiles, this time I think I’ll stay a while
For better or worse, ‘cause now I know it can be worse
The years without her, so lonely and gray
Those Christmas Days and New Year’s Days
Those lifeless, formless holidays

When Shinobu smiles, when Shinobu smiles
When Shinobu smiles, when Shinobu smiles
When Shinobu smiles, when Shinobu smiles
When Shinobu smiles, when Shinobu smiles

A Song Can Tell A Story

When words leave off, music begins.

WHEN SHINOBU SMILES