Out of Shape

Lately Tokyo has had one unsettled day after another — typhoons, sudden downpours. As a result, I’ve been getting a bit out of shape.

It’s 2 p.m. on August 15th. A light rain is falling. The forecast says it should clear up soon, so once the rain lifts, I’m planning to head out for a walk for the first time in a while. If something catches my eye, I might take a few photos.

When the rain keeps up, I inevitably end up spending more time thinking. The things I can readily accept, I glance at and move past — “nice” — and that’s the end of it. But the things that leave a small snag somewhere in my chest are the ones I stop for, the ones I keep looking at. Why they catch on me, I can’t say right away. Lately I’ve been turning that question over and over.

It’s a fine summer day, after all. Today, maybe it’s not so bad to just walk and take pictures, without thinking about anything.