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“Dear Future Me” is a series in which Shohei Koyama—poet and owner of JIYUCHO — delivers poetic words in Japanese and English, like letters to his future self that trace the subtleties of everyday life. I hope this becomes a place like your mailbox where postcard poems arrive.

When I start

When I start

gently

I begin

one by one by one

a small self
taking steps
one by one

not with a racing heart
not with strain
not with force

simply as I am now

begin
create
enjoy
try

light
glow
shine
rejoice

 

About this piece

What did you think or feel after writing and reading this poem?

Starting, continuing, pausing, and starting once more. Within that rhythm, I wish to be someone who never stands still, who keeps climbing. Watching such a person, reading these words, I was reminded—I truly want the same.

When did you write it, and under what circumstances?

When I'm trying to start something new again.

If this poem were turned into a song, what would it sound like?

An image like RADWIMPS’ Otonoha or Bank Band’s Hitotsu Dake.

「宛先は、わたし」一覧へ戻る

About JIYUCHO owner Koyama

Began writing poetry as a student. Deeply moved by Shuntaro Tanikawa’s Two Billion Light-Years of Solitude, where physical laws were expressed in beautiful words. While wandering the world, continued writing poetry and founded a company at the age of 27. In May 2018, released TOMOSHIBI POST, a web service that allows people to send letters to their future selves. In August 2019, opened JIYUCHO in Kuramae, Tokyo. In December 2023, opened FUTO, a poetic café and second location. In August 2024, published the poetry collection The World at Last, with You and Me. Graduated from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science. Studied abroad in Seattle, Washington, USA, for one year during university.

Links of the owner Koyama

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A letter that you can send to yourself one year from now, a regular mail that looks back on the month and summarizes it in one volume, a monthly collection of essays, etc. Products that color the time you spend facing yourself. You can enjoy it at home. Feel free to try it, by all means.

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