Today you attend a lecture about the history of fires.

In his travel blog Volcano Pilgrim, Craig Arnold [see Incubus below] documents his "five months in Japan as a wandering poet", with haiku and haibun. Don't go running off -- his haiku is a pleasurable surprise (though I shouldn't be surprised -- Craig possesses an admirable array of skills). I've decided that his consistent self-referencing in the 2nd person is either affected and off-putting, or earnest and a compelling literary device. Regardless, who doesn't like to read about volcanoes, Tokyo, food, and the despair of being yet unable to answer the question of one's capability to love.

Excerpt from Volcano Pilgrim, 03.29.09:
At Tokyo Station, you are at last hungry enough to overcome your shyness and sit down at ramen counter. It makes it easier that noodle soup is the only thing on the menu. The only contribution asked of you is your choice of broth: soy or miso? The noodles are tasty, especially when doctored with pickled ginger, red bean paste, hot sesame oil and ground sesame seeds, and for a few minutes you are absorbed by their taste and texture, warm and full and complete. Halfway back to your hotel, though, the sadness catches up to you again, as you gradually remember how it feels to move through the world alone.