Genie Nakano

Aliso Villager ~~a Haibun & Cherita

under Aztec skiesa California sushi rollrocks I was born in Boyle Heights, California, Aliso Village Housing Projects. Aliso Village: 1942 – demolished in 1999 one of the most impoverished areas of Los Angeles – and considered one of the last remaining slums. Wikipedia (shrugs shoulders) We didn’t have computers and couldn’t afford a television. So…

Written by

genienakano

under Aztec skies
a California sushi roll
rocks

I was born in Boyle Heights, California, Aliso Village Housing Projects.

Aliso Village: 1942 – demolished in 1999 one of the most impoverished areas of Los Angeles – and considered one of the last remaining slums. Wikipedia

(shrugs shoulders) We didn’t have computers and couldn’t afford a television. So I ran around the play grounds in a red cowgirl skirt with white fringe and cap gun six shooter wrapped around my hips. I never got in any trouble. All that cowgirl practice made me a good dancer

No pony for Christmas
instead I lasso
the stars


originally published in Contemporary on line Haibun, 2012
Printed in Enter the Stream, Haibun and Tanka Tales, 2013
available on Amazon

Los Angeles River~~ a Cherita

a childhood walk
holding hands
when the river was full

buttered tortillas
how I long for them
instead of rice

yellow sunshine
dripping
from my fingers

Los Angeles River
I came back
to remember
Genie Nakano












18 responses



  1. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Thank you Charles for your replies it makes me feel like someone is reading our poetry.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  2. 


    

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    Anonymous
    



    


    



    

    Thanks Genie! Lovely poetry! I taught at Roosevelt High some years ago–
    

    

    chemistry, physics, biology. Before that I taught sciences at Belvedere Middle School. I had a haibun published in the Southern California Haiku Study Group anthology recently.
    

    

    

    Charles Harmon
    

    

    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  3. 


    

    Bridgette Avatar
    




    Bridgette
    



    


    



    Beautiful lines and imagery.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  4. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Remember the Los Angeles River. Dad walked over it many times. Those days….
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  5. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Dear Janet. Thank you for responding with words. I feel as tho I’m in the dark, who reads my poems? I don’t know. Who feels my poems — I don’t know. So it’s so good to know!!!
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  6. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Someone when and what did you teach? I went to Roosevelt. What is your name ??
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  7. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    I did go to Roosevelt High in the summer of 1964. It was so much better than Wilson High–the one I graduated from in 1966. The kids were cool. I was a kid too lol
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  8. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    By the way you have an account with me. Or else You couldn’t write to me. Try posting again.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  9. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Thank you so much for ordering. Did you do it thru Lulu. I love Lulu and Amazon is such a pain. Sorry to say that. Most of my writing is Buddhist influenced. I attended the college of Buddhist studies and got taken in and learned so much. My buddhist name is Daya.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  10. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Hi Terra could you please resent your website. I need to oder a few more cards.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  11. 


    

    genienakano Avatar
    




    genienakano
    



    


    



    Thank you Cheryl — looking back — it’s been a good life. 
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  12. 


    

    Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet Avatar
    




    Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet
    



    


    



    Meaningful and moving, Genie!  <3
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  13. 


    

    Terra Avatar
    




    Terra
    



    


    



    Love how in so few words so much is said as if your poetry were a painting speaking a thousand words with just a look.  your story so meaningful.  thank you.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  14. 


    

    distantshores1776 Avatar
    




    distantshores1776
    



    


    



    Thanks Genie! I tried to post a comment, but I guess I have to figure out how to open an account.I received your book yesterday and enjoyed your poetry. I really like “Kwan Yin,” as I have developed a love forTaoism and Buddhism, and it reminds me of a movie called “Golden Gate.” All the best!ch
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  15. 


    

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    Anonymous
    



    


    



    Forgot to mention, I got your book today. Love your poem about Kwan Yin!
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  16. 


    

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    Anonymous
    



    


    



    Lovely! Did you go to Roosevelt? I taught there.
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  17. 


    

    Janet Baba Avatar
    




    Janet Baba
    



    


    



    I visualize pictures while reading your words. I feel you are exposing yourself in your poetry.
    
Lots of emotions appear, as I read. 
    

    Thank you for sending!!
    

    


    

    

    


    

    


  18. 


    

    rraphael123 Avatar
    




    rraphael123
    



    


    



    yellow sunshine
    
dripping
    
from my fingers
    

    Los Angeles River
    
I came back
    
to remember
    

    nice!
    

    


    

    

    


    

    







		

			
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