There is a fairy in Norse folklore called Tomte. The similar named Tomti was a mythical dwarf who lived in the northernmost part of Japan, which was once connected to Eurasia. The gatekeeper of the stream, Tomti lived under the bridge over the canal with a roof of butterbur leaves.

The lost one eye of the Greek mythological giant Cyclopes is the price to pay for wisdom. The eye is shining in the darkness of the melting snow. Dancing in the sunlight of the sunny morning.

People have driven them out of their peaceful days to replace the kitchen drains. The springs dried up and the fishes rotted. The river begs for rain, but the clouds are broken fridges.

The world is ending and the plates on the table are empty.

…

hiromi suzuki is a poet, fiction writer and artist living in Tokyo, Japan. She is the author of Ms. cried – 77 poems by hiromi suzuki (Kisaragi Publishing, 2013), logbook (Hesterglock Press, 2018), INVISIBLE SCENERY (Low Frequency Press, 2018), Andante (AngelHousePress, 2019), Found Words from Olivetti (Simulacrum Press, 2020), Ephemera (Colossive Press, 2021). Double solo exhibition with Francesco Thérès visual HAIKU | OLIVETTI poems was held in Rome, 9 ～30 September 2021.

Note: Tomte is a part of the first poetry collection Ms. cried – 77 poems by hiromi suzuki (kisaragi publishing, 2013 ISBN978-4-901850-42-1). The poem written in Japanese has been translated by hiromi suzuki, 2022.