Kan-non Hands

April 7th

I heard the scrape of a key in a lock.
KP is the first one to come in the morning.
To give me a lovely hug
In time for DL 172

Ms Grasshopper
Naoko Camerawoman, and
Mari got together.
The medical instruction for emergency is at hand.
We are taking off from Azabu Juban.

The filming van ran,
Carrying us down memory lane to New York
As if a time machine.

In the car
Three eclairs and four of us
Rock, Paper,  Scissors
Whose hands will be empty?

NARITA Airport
Gate 22
Seat 10A
I looked at the distant sky.
I am going to see who I was.

The conversation we had on 19 of February has become a reality
After many twists and turns.
Mari and I toasted with champagne
I cried with joy.

From the diagonally backward
A camera is rolling
Naoko Camerawoman is doing her job.
It rolls when I cry, it rolls when I yawn,
Filming the reality of
My life.

Delta staff were kind.
Karen, Mr. Koizumi, Thank you.

Arrival at JFK.
I've finally made it.

Eiko, who works for Delta,
J. and J's friend Go;
Three welcomed us at the airport.
Scooped up like a princess
I was placed on a minivan.
The smell of New York.

Manhattan
Gray sky
Murry Hills, Fifth Avenue
I know it all, the shop on the corner.
It bring back memories.
" I can live in this city from today."

Hilton Hotel
A wheelchair accessible room,
They call a deluxe suite.
Well, it's smaller than expected.

Ms. Nynk rushed over to the hotel.
We hugged each other.
Big sister Ms. Nynk.
It brought a tear to my eye.
I wish I could see her in health.

Chinese takeout for dinner.
Paper plates and paper cups.
We ate together in Manhattan style.

Sesame chicken
Hot and Sour
Sauteed Chinese Cabbage
Fried Rice

J. gave me the superb gift.
Massage therapy
With Ki infusion.
Maria lay on the bed.

Hands of Kan-non
brought me to the heaven in 5 minutes.
I said I felt like a heavenly dragonfly,
And others made a fuss about it,  saying I misused the words.
Even in New York I get it wrong.

I feel sooo good
Hands of J.
Hands of Kan-non.

I am in Manhattan
First time after 12 years.

From afar I came all the way.
It took me 12 years to be here.

Poem by Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

©2011