Butterfly

April 15th

Hanging on to slivers of sleep,
After the morning toilet ritual,
I ran back to the dream as fast as I could
Shutting my eyes tight.

09:45
My caseworker Kikuchi and
The local government welfare agent
Came to upgrade the level of care
From Class 3 to Class 4.
It's progressing so rapidly that
I could clearly see what's waiting.

I was feeling lonely expecting to spend the day by myself.
Then
18:45
KP came.
I am happy.
Very happy
In addition he brought my favorite food.

If only I could walk, I would be happy to do anything for you,
I would be happy to do laundry.
I would be happy to do grocery shopping.

I wish I could walk beside you, looking glamorous.
We used to do that
Just half a year ago.

The illness robbed me of that.

In the immobile body, I keep my heart free like a butterfly.
The spring is around the corner, when the butterfly floats.
The last season is around the corner, when I could float.

You become a flower and
The butterfly lands on you.

Can't it be like that?

Poem by Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

© 2011