The Red String of Destiny

 In America, some people believe in soul mates, or true love, two people who are meant to be together in exclusion of all others. I don't particularly hold to this, that there's only one right person out there for everyone. In Japan (though it originated in Japan), the talk about the red string of destiny, which ties two people together. It may be a long string, have knots or tangles, but it's tied around the finger of these two people. I really like the imagery of it, it's much more appealing and visceral than "souls". It's arguable whether it's limited to love. I'd have to do more research. 

    The following poem was written with this in mind. Akai Ito is Japanese for "red string".

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,

regardless of time, place, or circumstance.

The thread may stretch or tangle,

but it will never break."

- an ancient Chinese belief

Akai Ito

Where does this red string go?

It goes out the door,

stretches down winding roads.

It is wet in the places it crosses rivers or streams.

Or is that the ocean?

It passes so quickly over the horizon.

Sometimes the other end feels close,

but there is only another knot

typing up the hands of the clock.

When the tangle unravels

I lose sight of it again.

I wonder

if the other end is half a world away or down the street

around the corner, tied to some bright smile

that lights up whenever I speak.

Where does this red string go?

All I know is somewhere

there's someone at the end.