U Turn Love!?

April 28th


The morning light radiant
Bursts all over
The bed
By the window.


I yawned and stretched
Just with arms
Quietly with
Both legs in silence
Against the blue sky.


My heart was overcome with
Acute feelings of loneliness
From today
Your visit would be shallow and narrow.


“Get over it,”
You said,
“and my love will make a U-turn.”
Tough condition it is;
To “get over it.”


You have two vectors.
And all I can do is
To live with it.
My first ever endurance test.


My caseworker, Kikuchi
Came in the afternoon.
An assuring ally
My weakness, fear and
Humor
I am blessed to share with.


The ALS residential care facility
Requires funds.
Cancellation is not allowed
And tracheotomy is the condition for placement.


I am too young to be placed.
Should I be happy or sad?


Life moves on bumper-to-bumper condition.


14:14
Bob called for the first time in a long time.
Hearing the familiar voice
In a heartbeat brought
Tears in my eyes.


What is this feeling?
This is not loving
This is not being beloved.
It is time to untangle the thread.
We needed this time.
Times now past.


Hear me, Bob,
My precious one,
You are far and away.


The sun and the moon
I am the moon
Always on the side.
I don’t mind.
I am now in that kind of love.


On the other end of the line
Is Bob listening in silence.
A husband and wife we used to be.

Poem by Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

copyright 2011