“kitsune no yomeiri (sunshine in the rain)” by Quinn Umeno
September 12, 2025
it is not a mortal/moral failing of yours
if you do not get chosen by the gods.
do not despair my darling- remember that you were a love story
before they wrote you a
tragedy-
how your love seemed to sparkle like dew and gossamer
remember that you had honey before they made you bleed
ichor for all their greedy hearts- how they shaped you to be slow,
and careful, and sweet,
your love is not a fox’s wedding- you do not have to kill yourself
when others see
do not bind yourself in a suicide pact with your heart – to swear
your soul to the titans pit
your love is Icarian darling – you must learn how to fall gracefully-
how to burn in the most
glorious colors, and put on a show
not even the grass deigns to cradle you when you leap from your
burning home- maybe it loved
the arsonists first
This poem was written by Quinn Umeno, a 2025-26 Youth Poetry Fellow, and performed at the SAL Presents event with R.F. Kuang at Town Hall Seattle on September 12, 2025.
Posted in Student Writing Writers in the Schools Arts Education 2025/26 Season