Family

April 16th

12:00
My sisters arrived,
Sis Kimi and Sis Kyoko
With bags full of goodies.
The room becomes filled with life
The table becomes filled with food.

Sis Kimi has brought azuki bean rice and butterbur sprout.
Home made preserved plums.
Sis Kyoko has brought macaroni salads
'Cause it's my favorite.

I pulled the overbed table closer.
This is the dining table for me.
I spread a napkin out as if for a baby.
I can't raise my left forearm.
The mug is too heavy for me to hold up.

My family
My sisters I spent my childhood with.
Before we knew, we were talking about the old days.
The yearning for the days past has filled my heart and
My holding the yearning in my heart brought us all to silence,
Leaving only the sound from TV in the room.

Sis Kyoko left.
Sis Kimi will stay over till 19th.
It's been a long time to sleep in the same room.

Nikomi Udon for dinner
Macaroni salads
Strawberry for dessert.

21:00
The home helper came.
I have my feet rubbed.
My left foot feels heavy and weak.
The muscles are waiting for the signal to walk.
I beg you, motor neurons, please send a signal.

Getting ready to go to bed.
On the overbed table, I place the remote, a water bottle, a notebook,
Tissue paper, the cell phone, a pen, and a dictionary.
It's important that everything is in place.
'Cause I can't walk
And more so as I live alone.

My body resides in a small bed
Surrounded by the railings, like an animal.
If I think it's miserable, I would be miserable.
If I have a hope, I would find something to be happy about.
That's how the life goes.

I will spend another day with my sister.
Azabu Juban, a family of two.
In my hometown, my mother is waiting.
I can only chose one.

Poem by Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

©2011