IDENTITY“`tanka

genienakanoNovember 15, 2021November 17, 2021aging, feminism/women, humor, kyoka, photography, poems, saddnessafro-american, asian, blonde, chicano, fiveline poems, identity, orale pues, photography, poetry, race, righton, shirley temple, tanka

Photo: by genie nakano of genie nakano, 11.15.21

I was born
with two strikes
against me
Asian and…
my mother didn’t like me

I wanted
to be golden
wear a curly
blonde crown of
 Shirley Temple locks

Into my teens
I streamed, oye
orale pues orale pues
I poemed my story
right on write on

Blackness
became my call
I danced the moves
wore the hats
and sang off key

Now at 73
a hybrid a tribrid a unitard
something in between
a floating world
I was, will be, I am

genie Nakano,
10.15.21

Published by genienakano

I love writing--It's my joy, my therapy--my confession. I'm a performer, dancer, yoga and meditation instructor, write a poetry column for Rafu Shimpo. Growth and love of life is a key to my happiness. View more posts

4 thoughts on “IDENTITY“`tanka”

genienakano says:

November 22, 2021 at 3:01 pm

It took me a loooong time. I don’t think an Asian sorority would have helped me. So glad you discovered yourself in college. Actually sometimes I ‘m still trying to figure it all out. Probably why I write so much.

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chrisshunmsncom says:

November 18, 2021 at 11:55 pm

Hi Genie;

Because I also grew up in a non-Asian neigborhood, I too, found myself wanting to be “golden”. It was only when I attended college and joined an all Asian sorority did I shed my ideals of “becoming white”; Life became less conflicted…

Christine Chuman ________________________________

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genienakano says:

November 16, 2021 at 3:08 pm

Thank you Cheryl. Funny thing I was afraid Asian ‘s would be offended. ya gotta tell your secrets.

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Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet says:

November 16, 2021 at 2:41 pm

Stunning poem, Genie! ❤ Lovely and wise! ❤

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