Uncle George ,Sugie, 2-8-1892 , 1965 ,Sugie & Yaemon,3-8-1880,Uncle Jay, 1918-1960 my grandmother died at 73 the age that I am now her thin grey hair was tied back in a bun was she ever young? coming from a foreign land her songs were of an old Japan coming to America a picture bride “freshContinue reading “Don’t call me Bachan”
Tag Archives: tanka
Invitation to Peace
Invitation to Peace early morning these days no T.V. no radio prone to quietness I meditate everyday the same way like sitting on a rabbit’s foot I feel safe and lucky bound by our desires I watch the incense rise busy busy busy thoughts busy buzzing clear the space toss them out watch them flyContinue reading “Invitation to Peace”
this is…
this is my hoodwhere concrete meets the skyneon lights twinklehumanity in your faceborn here, loved here, die here I was born in East L.A., Boyle Heights, CA USA in the Japanese American Hospital, May 15, 1948. Racists in America often refused to care or treat Japanese Americans, so we built our own hospital in BoyleContinue reading “this is…”
“meaning”
If…. IF I don’t write my life down none of it makes sense Originally published in Ribbons an American tanka Journal.
Inside ~ Meditation #13
there is a wounded child in us the way out is in
Meditation #12
clouds turn into rain turn into spring flowers no birth no death
Nike
black catdeparts on a breezeshe left behindscenes from another life forest of tall trees Nike Bodhi dogsits next to Nike cathe licks her facepaws at her bed, moansshe is passing each day weakershe can hardly walk or standdeath never getsany easierno matter how hard I try her tiny bodyrelaxed into my armsnot a whimpernot aContinue reading “Nike”
Hey there
You there, take this gloom away the sky is supposed to be blue, not grey a dismal disappointing day the social-distancing party cancelled the host is sick her stomach hurts then next, the tearful news my veterinarian can’t fix Toto anymore You there, heal my dog Toto he’s been my friend for seventeen years heContinue reading “Hey there”
Meditation#10
a yoginiblossoms in the nightunbound by the clarity of daynightblooming jasmine
Turning blue
Patience is the antidote to anger…counting my breath…as I turn blue.
Genie Nakano 