[POETRY]

[04/13/26]

Title

Two Poems by Spencer Eckart

Bathing with Moshi

Down to my last pair of underwear. Moshi burned the rest of our clothes. He claims the yōkai can track us if we cling to anything, but I don't know if I buy it.

He also insists that we bathe constantly—and together. If we separate, he says, they can dissipate us where we stand. That's why he's always watching me and I him.

It's been three days, and neither of us has slept a wink. I can't even remember what started this mess. Every morning at sunrise, we repaint our campervan. It's a forest green now.

Today, the walk from the bathhouse back to the van is picture perfect, cherry blossoms in full bloom. Each step I take sends up a whiff of rich earth, and for the first time since meeting Moshi, I am happy.

***

Where did he run off to?