WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT THE JAPANESE
We heard they would jump from buildings
at the slightest provocation: low marks
On an exam, a lovers' spat
or an excess of shame.
We heard they were incited by shame,
not guilt. That they
Loved all things American.
Mistrusted anything foreign.
We heard their men liked to buy
schoolgirls' underwear
And their women
did not experience menopause or other
Western hysterias. We heard
they still preferred to breastfeed,
Carry handkerchiefs, ride bicycles
and dress their young like Victorian
Pupils. We heard that theirs
was a feminine culture. We heard
That theirs was an example of extreme
patriarchy. That rape
Didn't exist on these islands. We heard
their marriages were arranged, that
They didn't believe in love. We heard
they were experts in this art above all others.
That frequent earthquakes inspired insecurity
and lack of faith. That they had no sense of irony.
We heard even faith was an American invention.
We heard they were just like us under the skin.
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We heard they would jump from buildings
at the slightest provocation: low marks
On an exam, a lovers' spat
or an excess of shame.
We heard they were incited by shame,
not guilt. That they
Loved all things American.
Mistrusted anything foreign.
We heard their men liked to buy
schoolgirls' underwear
And their women
did not experience menopause or other
Western hysterias. We heard
they still preferred to breastfeed,
Carry handkerchiefs, ride bicycles
and dress their young like Victorian
Pupils. We heard that theirs
was a feminine culture. We heard
That theirs was an example of extreme
patriarchy. That rape
Didn't exist on these islands. We heard
their marriages were arranged, that
They didn't believe in love. We heard
they were experts in this art above all others.
That frequent earthquakes inspired insecurity
and lack of faith. That they had no sense of irony.
We heard even faith was an American invention.
We heard they were just like us under the skin.
-