She walked down the stairs of the Suntry Hall
Unhurriedly, but not slowly,
Waving her hand, step by step.
My memory leaped 20 years back in time.
Like European, she hugged me right, left and right again.
My cheeks were pressed against hers, once two three, right and left.
Ben with his trademark bow tie against the blue sky
Looking good.
Mieko, when did I see you last time?
Those good old days.
Held tightly
I bit tears
I can't let it out.
Maria is quite contrary.
Sandwich, clam chowder, soup, we each ordered lunch.
We talked about New York, work, Hawaii, Kyoto, and my illness.
Her voice was the same, her smile, her timing to laugh was the same.
Our conversation outlived lunch
Just as it used to be.
We used to roll on the floor laughing in the lunch room.
We were young.
The destiny brought us together again.
The moment I felt like hugging myself,
Wind blew through the hall, bringing happiness to me.
What I wanted to tell Mieko for 20 years,
"I'm sorry that I couldn't see you more."
I took them to my office to introduce them to Ryan.
He used to live in Hawaii.
Somehow entire office gathered in a conference room.
Sam, Arron, Laura, Andrew, and Ryan
Mari and Ms. Grasshopper, too.
The conference room became lively.
I said hi to Miyata.
This office is my oasis.
I'll work hard.
Farewell to Mieko and Ben, leaving from
Tokyo station for Kyoto, then Hawaii bound tomorrow.
Azabu Juban, in front of my home, the real goodbye.
The last hug, I won't cry.
I found that without tears I felt sadder.
She left step by step
Unhurried but not slow.
The sky has turned pale purple.
KP came to wrap up the day.
We had dinner in a nearby restaurant.
It was delish.
KP got how to set up the negative ion generator
KP can do anything.
Since I said goodbye to Mieko today
I could say goodbye to KP tonight.
Walking together hand in hand I was happy.
World Clock, I added Hawaii.
Poem by Maria Franki
Edited and translated by J. Ujiie
©2011
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