to Christian

youth
hostel
hostile youth
at the youth hostel
in Shodoshima an island
off of the main island of Japan
I saw you sitting
thin
dark hair
white t-shirt
high forehead
straight posture
and I knew we would be friends
in subtle ways I moved
wanting you to notice
but you didn't
my words lost on you initially
my leaves shed
but new ones unfurled
and I caught your eye
and engaged you
you thought I was German too
like you
with a few words
hearing the sound of my voice
you knew or did you know?
as did I
we would be life long friends