White breath fogs the windowpane,

and a trembling lantern flame.

Behind the station on a squeaking hill,

I press the snow; it answers still.

At the bottom of my pocket, a worn-out note,

your blurred name under my thumb I wrote.

Bathhouse steam threads into the sky,

a red noren whispers as people pass by.

I lift a lonely cup to my lips,

yesterday’s smile from the rim slowly drips.

Even on nights that freeze me through,

when I call your name, it calls me too.

Snow lantern, snow lantern,

in a world of white I search for you.

Warm tears tracing down my face,

I want to see you, only you.

(Shakuhachi and shamisen call-and-response)

Between snowbank walls my footsteps crunch,

one cloud of breath turns the world up a notch.

No map needed for the road I take,

I carry our promise like a pocket of flame.

By the kerosene glow words loosen slow—

“Sorry I’m late” is the truest show.

Even with numb hands I kept that spark;

the colder it gets, the closer our hearts.

At the coat’s deep seam, a folded vow:

“When spring returns”—but I’m here now.

Till then I live with the snow and stars,

my pulse goes don-don-da, healing the scars.

Window lights flicker, your shadow sways;

I’m almost home to the word that saves.

One more step and the night breathes wide—

let this song be the road; guide me inside.

Cracks in the sky and the small stars light,

smiling like guides through the quiet night.

Snow lantern, snow lantern,

the colder it is, the kinder it feels.

My fingers unthaw, my chest unseals—

hold me, hold me, let me heal.

If I’m forgiven…

let me be the first to light your way.

Snow lantern, snow lantern,

this white night shows me the road.

Frozen words warming into “thank you”—

thank you, thank you—now I’m home.

The lantern softly laughs in gold,

and snow hums a lullaby, deep and old.