In cold mountains there are flowers to eat

a poem, a song, a collection of photos from Japan.

---

In cold mountains there are flowers to eat

I left myself
locked behind a door
asleep

steam bloomed
over
gentian blue streets ,

I saw no one ,
and they were
whispering 

in cold mountains
there are
flowers to eat 

I heard water rushing
beneath 
every stone and weaved
through silver pipes ,
the veins of vining leaves 

laughter
from a stairwell splashed free , 
drew mist before
the shadow
of Togakushi 

lanterns bowed their heads , lanterns
rest their eyes ,
I was a trespasser
with god's permission

in the onsen
myself steeped ,
drifting
lungs swelled within heat

against clouded mirrors
my sleeping mind heaved , 
narrows unfurled
their perfumed sleeves ,

deep earth
medicine , sulfur
swirling , black
tea ,

until I woke
myself
to gentian blue streets ,

I slid open
the door 
using god's keys

to whispering lanterns ,
my limbs offered
steam , 

in cold mountains
there are
flowers to eat. 

- a. vos 

Photos taken November, 2025 in Nagano Japan.

---

I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your support. For those who would like to contribute more than your attention, I have enabled paid subscriptions.

P.S. I dream of making a photo book some day (soon), let me know if this is something you’d be interested in. If you happen to be a publisher who can make this happen please reach out.

---