amphibi.us

Mama gave money to the sea gods
to protect us from turbulent seas
Awajishima tradition for the newborn

We feasted on the fruits of the sea:
abalone, squid, and oysters,
and fragrant matsutake
freshly picked
from the matsu forest of Awajishima
island birthed by deities and forefathers of Japan

Yet Papa yearned for America

Picket white fences, golden grand canyon, spaghetti and meatballs
“Lady and the Tramp”
My first movie
At Hibiya theatre in Tokyo
I still see the deep purple-red curtains
feel the soft velvet seats on the backs of my leg

I wanted a dog

Poco a prized Scottish Terrier
My fifth birthday present
from Papa’s brother
He was rich unlike us
But Poco was not so smart
and would wander out
Local police would find him
and bring him back
One day he left
and never returned

Mama said he was stolen
because he was so valuable

Oba-chan and Toto came to live with us
because Papa was in California
She said Toto was just like the dog
from “The Wizard of Oz”
Movie I did not know

Oba-chan used to work for the missionaries
she told us many stories
My favorite was
Toto would go to the butcher
carry home
a bag of deep fried croquettes
wrapped around his neck

A smart dog unlike Poco

Next time I saw America was on the TV screen
Motorcade, hazy dessert, and loud gun shot
Scary
Not at all like my first movie

John F Kennedy is dead

Papa said we are all moving to America
I assumed he meant Toto too.
But when Oba-chan and Mama took Toto
out an errand
they returned without Toto
He was nowhere in sight
They explained that Toto was too old
could not move to America

Toto was put to sleep
just like JFK

Once so bright, surreal and magical
America felt like a sacrifice
dark, harsh and lonely

© Jinko Gotoh, 2012