Deep down the airway
Almost where the bronchi started
Scratchy feeling
An asthma attack
Erupted.
Unable to bring up sputum
A chain reaction of coughing fit
The abdominal muscles heave
Without an ounce of strength.
My breathing shallow and fast
Oxygen level 86%
It’s a tricky value.
Should I call Dr. Okabe?
Should I call 911?
Should I call my family?
Options flashed through my mind.
Which one should I choose?
The home care helper came
Two hour has past since the attack.
As my sisters are coming,
“I’ll weather it,”
I said.
On a bullet train
Sis Kimi came.
On a subway train
Sis Kyoko came.
An asthma exacerbated.
I declined filming.
Sorry, Inago Director.
I had no
Courage and guts to
Show my suffering
To the entire country.
Saturday is the day
Dr. Okabe makes house calls.
I am persistent in asking questions.
He is gentle and attentive in answering.
200% trusted.
In his presence,
The asthma attack faded away
Like a magic.
Oxygen Ventilator to be
Installed next week.
I have to re-arrange furniture
Around the bed.
As much as anything, before everything else
I pray for no more weakening of respiratory muscles.
Shishiitake mushroom
Copperheads like the smell of.
Where shishitake mushrooms grow
Copperheads gather.
Shishitake mushroom rice
Aromatic and delicious.
They call it
Copperhead mushroom rice
Sold locally in my hometown.
The hill was reservoir of life force.
Pine trees, oak trees, cherry trees
Winding narrow path leads into the mountain
Oxygen fresh
One by one
Mari came
Yuri came
I introduced them to Sis Kimi
Old friends of mine they are.
“From Mother,”
Sis handed me
Two pieces of yellowed drawing paper
Drawing of
Our tabby cat
With a short tail and
Black forehead.
Self portrait
Bobbed hair
Purple eyes
Brown ground.
The background is always light blue
A little different my drawings are.
I placed them next to my bed
Portrait of young me by young me.
Let me remember
Year by year
From the birth
To X-day.
Poem by Maria Franki
Edited and translated by J. Ujiie
copyright 2011
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