Genie Nakano

Returning

Rain slicing across the museums courtyard

Dark, heavy, clouds masking an afternoon sky

The rain with all it’s majestic drama

was performing for my mother’s funeral

Misako Shintani Davison’s

unfilled desire was to be an actress

And on this day nature was Misako’s full ensemble.

And the rain did not stop

It played on and on

The Neptune boat had to turn back

It was too perilous, the captain said.

Is mother dead

Or am I

I’m still numb from daddy’s death

Just 2 months ago he died

But the cold relentless droplets of rain

Are reminding me I’m still alive

But will my legs walk up the stairs?

One step at a time

One stair at a time

Opening the doors

It’s warm inside

I can go on

I will go on

Her friends are here

My friends are here

And you were here.

You worked on events here

Meeting people

Greeting people

A devoted docent

Gracing the halls of the museum.

A decade later

I return to the museum’s blue room

Writing haiku in the afternoon.

      Mom, I feel at home here too.