In this memory, I’m about ten. Every afternoon, I come home from school feeling hungry. As my house comes into sight, my head is full of what I might eat for snack once I get back home. My mother usually has something prepared for me, whether it’s some snack bread, some sweets she’s got from […]
I’m about four in this memory. It’s evening. I’m standing in the playground with my mother and brother, and right in front of us is our apartment block. I point to the rows and rows of tiny balconies. “Which one is our home?” I ask. I know my apartment is on the second floor, but
I’m about fourteen in this memory. Early May, our annual family gathering takes place in a Japanese hot spring resort. I take a long bath with other female relatives, and when we come out, we spend some time cooling down in the changing room. While older relatives chat on the bench, I walk over to
I didn’t recognize you Read More »
Walk in the woodsYou stop suddenlyPointing to the groundThere it is, a rabbit The rabbit is very stillEating somethingWe also become stillHolding our breath Suddenly, time stopsBarrier disappearsWe are the rabbitThe rabbit is us In the magical silenceWe have become one with the woodsNobody can tellWho is who anymore
Something happenedYou don’t understand whatOr why it happenedAll you know is thatYou’re bleeding Now what?Filled with questionsWander about the streetFuming why nobody answers?Or panic over the catastrophe? But waitThe answer is on the wayRunning to you like a shooting starDon’t assume anything yetWait for the answer to arrive
Wait for the Answer Read More »
I’m about twelve in this memory. It’s August 5th, the day when the annual firework festival takes place in our town. In the evening, my mother and I drive to the city centre, and after parking the car, we walk over to the view spot where we can sit on the grass and eat picnic
Fireworks from the Hilltop Read More »
I’m only a small part of your lifeBorn so many years laterI’m only one of the many in your lifeYet, the fact is easily forgottenAnd I become your whole universe
In this memory, I’m nine. It’s summer, and my friend, her family and my family are on a camping trip together. As soon as we got to the camp site, adults started pitching the tents, and my friend and I came to explore the nearby creek. Despite the heat outside, the water is very cool.
Watermelon that was almost kidnapped Read More »
Several years ago, I was visiting home in Japan when my mother suggested we should buy a new summer hat for me. The one I had worn for many years had gone missing just before my trip. “A good hat is important to protect your head and eyes from the sun!” With such enthusiasm, we
When was the last timeYou threw something with your full forceYou ran at your top speedYou laughed like crazy until your stomach hurt When was the last timeYou tackled your friend with all your forceYou screamed at your top voiceYou cried until your throat became sore Does your body still bounce with joyDo your eyes
Unapologetically Alive Read More »
