A rolling-pin gracing
the kitchen wall
visages of her life
speckles in the landscape
of my mind
a woman of small stature
with black hair
almond smiling eyes
a happiness laced laugh
I am embraced, a nephew’s wife
I left my shoes by the wall
inside the threshold
a home far from Kyoto
amidst the evergreen trees
I entered a coalesced union
both east and west
cultivated plants to bloom
black wrought iron shelves
a waterfall of African violets
blossoming shades of color
pink
violet
white
blue
feisty approach to business
offerings of octopus
dried salty seaweed
gastronomy not fathomed
teaching me her language
sharing plant knowledge
easier to impart
the rolling-pin still
flaunts her efforts
black char marks
remind me of a fusion
a friendship
between east and west
© November 2017 Renee Espriu
This is my fond memory of a woman from Japan named Nobu. I met her years ago when I was married to her nephew. She was married to an American serviceman she met in World War II. She lived here for many years until her husband’s passing and then returned to Japan where she eventually passed away. It was an honor to know here.
The above photo is taken from Public Domain Pictures and digitally altered by myself.
reneejustturtleflight.com 
A brooding tribute to both: the friend who is no more and the friendship that lingers.
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Thank you! She will always be missed and the memory cherished.
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Beautiful tribute.
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Thank you Libby! She was a wonderful lady.
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Nice tribute, Renee ❤
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Thank you Bela!
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Renee, this is most beautiful – both the imagery in your poem and the story behind it. I love this!
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Thank you Betty. I did not know her for a long time but it felt like a lifetime. She was a very special lady.
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No doubt she thought of you as a very special friend too, Renee.
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Your tribute to Nobu is lovely Renee.. and she sounded very special to leave such imprints in your memory..
Loved your artwork too..
Enjoy your Day my friend 🙂
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Thank you Sue! Such a short time I knew her but her willingness to be herself is etched into my heart.
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It shows in your poem.. ❤
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Love the story of friendship and bond between two worlds ~ Thanks for sharing Renee ~ Happy Holidays to you and your family~
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Thank you and Happy Holidays to you as well Grace!
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A most lovely poem to serve as a homage to this Japanese lady, Renee. I love your descriptions of nature and the way you make the Eastern and Western worlds intersect. Artwork as beautiful as always, which combines perfectly with the beauty of the written words. Your poem slightly brought me back to my poet friend Mario Savioni’s piece “The Sea Is Watching”: https://unbolt.me/2016/12/02/guest-post-the-sea-is-watching-by-mario-savioni-with-commentary-by-marta-pombo-salles/
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Thank you, Marta. It is the one of the most long lasting memories I have of her. I read your friend’s poem which I see, like my own, is filled with deep meaning.
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