Oxygen Ventilator

May 10th


Morning has come
The morning Sis Kim leaves
Tears started forming
Like Pavlov's dog.


I wrote a letter
On a yellow pad
With black magic marker
In large letters.


Her rolling bag I slipped it in
“Mommy”
“I miss you.”


Sis whipped up
Macaroni salad
Banana toast
With honey
Time for brunch


Change of barometric pressure
The rainy afternoon
Triggered another
Asthma attack


Don't leave, Sister.
‘Cause it's raining.
Dreary
Drizzling
You have no idea how it makes me feel.


A Ventilator was installed.
Between 0.5 litter and 1.0 litter of Oxygen
I hope it will help me to breathe freely.


Rehabilitation to strengthen
Muscles of respiration.
Physical Therapist moves my ribs
Breathe in
Breath out
With each breath
I hope it will become easier.


My sis’s homemade dish
Stir-fried noodles with plenty of vegetables
With ginger pork.
“I finished it,” I texted.


Quiet night
I Coughed and wheezed
Ms. Grasshopper tapped my back


Gasping for breath
I thanked her.
Not being alone
Is a blessing.


Ms. Grasshopper is
My superhero
In the hour of danger
I can count on.


But for ALS
I wouldn’t have known you.
What a blessing
Our encounter is.


I need to hurry.
To send my heart
In writing
To those connected by fate.


Poem by Maria Franki
Edited and translated by J. Ujiie