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 