Love, Loss & Moving ON
For the days I forget
For the Days I Forget
There are days when I look back and wonder what I might have been.
I danced with gifted artists. I studied with people who went on to become famous.
And some were already world renown.
Sometimes a small voice whispers:
What if I pushed harder. What if I wanted more fame. What if I had chosen a different path?
But then I remember something important. The measure of life is not fame. It’s about living a life of love and kindness.
And I have spent my life doing what I love and practicing the dharma of Metta, teaching and sharing poetry, dance, qi gong and joy.
Somewhere there are students who still remember a laugh we shared, a poem, a moment of encouragement, or a class that changed their life.
I may never know how far those ripples traveld. But they traveled.
And I’m still here 78, years
Teaching Learning Writing Growing
My body is not the body I once had. The hips have been replaced. The bones complain. Some mornings getting out of bed is not as easy as it used to be.
There are days when I wonder If I have enough energy to teach.
And then something happens. I show up. The music begins.
The class gathers, the movement starts, the energy returns and life moves through me once again.
If one day I can no longer dance/move as I do now, or I must teach qi gong from a chair, I will still teach, because my spirit will remain uchanged.
Qi Gong is my treasure, my joy.
It has given me balance, community, connection, and peace.
It reminds me that life continues to flow, even as the body changes
I do not need applause to know that my life has mattered.
I have spent my years sharing what I love.
That is enough.
More than enough.
And when I forget I will read these words and remember…
I Cor. 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love
Love, Loss & Moving On
Eartha Kitt and Me
I came Jordon Down Gym in South Central, L.A.
every Saturdy morning to be with Eartha Kitt
She was small just like me
She had high cheekbones just like me.
The power in her voice
The fire in her eyes
Her laugh soared over six conga players
and filled the whole gym.
I wanna be just like you, Miss Kitt.
Oh, Jean it's you, she says
take this costume I wore it in a TV talk show
take this, take that...
Will that help me be like you?
This small timid girl
who wants to be so much more...
Rhythm, Rhythm
she demands across the Jordon Down's gym
That's it Jean (she called me Jean)
you hips are moving
making circles in the air
you got it!
Her words pumped me up
made me ready to fly
my feet wanted more and more
If I could only be like you
I could stand up to Lady Bird
fly over mountains
and claw up brick walls
But then you had to run
running for your life
Because you spoke the truth
at a White House Luncheon
and you were
banished, exiled from your country
your home, your family
blacklisted for many years
and yet you prevailed
Then one day
She stopped coming to Jordon Downs
each week I kept coming back
to emptiness
Oh, Miss Kitt is busy now,
Mrs. Evan said...
When will she be back
Where did Tabula, little Barry, Kwazi go
Where did the laughter, the rhythms
where did it all go?
An empty gym loomed over me
I practiced her walk
the way she tossed her head
Yes, she was my heroine
People said,
you're idolizing her
But that's OK
Because when you love sommeone
they become a part of you
Connected by Love
Miss Eartha Kitt,
You are me and I am you
Forever....
Genie Nakano
Reflections
Reflections
I am the mirror by the front door Framed in wood and colorful tiles oval shaped like a long face She glances at me but less these days I remind her to stand up straight and keep that inner smile Lately, I notice her shoulder drooping Somethings going on. I am the hallway mirror light birchwood geometric designs engraved in every grain As she passes by, only her head appears gliding across my glass I see you walking fairly well today The limp is gone. those hip replacements-- no one would know You hide them well. I am the bathroom mirror Of course, I'm always here. When she brushes her teeth When she splashes water on her fact to wake up When she brushes her hair She doesn't wear much make up these days No more black-lined cat eyes Her glam days are over Now she reaches for moisturizer Her skin is changing-- thinner now, drier She reminds herself not to believe everything advertising promises We are the bedroom mirrors Full length, floor to ceiling We've been here for over fifty years long before her arrival Before she gets out of bed, whether she likes it or not, she sees us and we see her Yet she doesn't mind she is not vain, but believes in knowing what is I am the gold gilded mirror in the studio I have watched her reinvent herself more times than I can count: dancer photographer poet journalist teacher meditation and yoga guide dreamer I remember when dancing was her profession Those were the days-- pulling in her belly, wishing for perfect lines Then came RA Then two hip replacements Then spinal stenosis No more high extentions No more grand jetes I worried about her But life keeps moving-- and so does she Down to earth she came landing softly in gentle Chi Gong Now she practices and teaches: pushing the waves a wild duck swimming a dancing crane cloud hands stirring up the sky catcing morning dew in a jade plate a dragon flying Her new way of moving becomes her A new form of bliss found at age seventy-eight bringing peace tranquility Chi Gong enables her to continue what she loves teaching sharing growing with a community of others And somehow, through every movement, every reflection, every loss, every beginning Life becomes... a different kind of grace. Genie Nakano June 12, 2026
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Bodhi
Tears on the floor
the morning sun rises
without you…
in every breath, I feel you
why does love hurt so bad?
Dawn,
when the curtain of the sky lifts,
pink bowing into blue
the time for day to debut
that was when little Bodhi
would follow me
into the living room
to sit on my lap
while I meditated
that is the hour
I will miss him most
Bless angels like Daniela
Yes, it hurts when your beloved pet dies
tears flow like a river that will not stop–
Yet, Daniela is there to steady your heart
to help you know
you have done what love requires
It is so comforting to know
that in this crazy world,
there are hands like Daniela
gentle, sure and full of grace
guiding a soul towards freedom
ending suffering and pain
closing a chapter
with dignity and tenderness
Bless Daniela,
as she carries Bodhi away
on a bed fit for a king
at peace already touching heaven
Goodbye little guy
we will miss you so much
Genie Nakano , April 10, 2026
Bodhi, 21 years old when he passed on…..
Genie Nakano 