Member-only story

The prologue

nothing to lose

no. 15

Vincent Van Patten
drifting on the waning moon
3 min readJan 2, 2025

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My local shrine in Nakano, Tokyo.
My local shrine in Nakano, Tokyo.

The sky hangs dusky beyond the leaves which hang above my neighborhood shrine in Nakano, Tokyo. Clouds loom wide and pale in the night sky like a thin blanket; I can’t wait to show the shrine to you. It holds my memories.

I pass through and bow to the two statues, which I call the travelers. I imagine them like the ancestors in the animated Mulan, alive inside and talking to each other, rooting me on as I ask for guidance.

I’m noticing stores I want to visit with you. There’s a small coffee and tea shop decorated for Halloween. I feel the seasons changing in my heart and soul. I can’t believe it’s happening.

I have a partner to explore the country that will always occupy a special place in my heart. And it’s not just anyone. It’s you. Cocobean. I imagine roaming the sleepy backstreets of Kyoto in the cold, early December, perhaps.

I look forward to just sitting with you on the train, your head on my shoulder and hand in mine as we return from a weekend excursion, snacks in tow. It won’t all be butterflies and rainbows, of course. It’ll be real. It’ll be life.

And we get to do it together. I finally have somebody to laugh with at the t-shirts with English phrases that make no sense, yet lift my spirits when I need them. I got…

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Vincent Van Patten
Vincent Van Patten

Written by Vincent Van Patten

Exploring what lights my soul on fire while living a nomadic life. vincentvanpatten.com

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