By GENIE NAKANO
Editor’s note: This is the first poem in a new, bimonthly series by Gardena poet Genie Nakano. We hope you’ll enjoy it! If you’re interested in contributing an original column to The Rafu Shimpo, please contact Mia Nakaji Monnier.
in a never ending
stream of consciousness
she tries
to grab
a winter moon
she échappes,
on a wave of shimmering light
into a mist
where moonbeam dew falls
upon her blue black hair
desires of enlightenment
dance in her restless mind
too much yin
sleepless nights
make her pale and frail
she recalls
what father said
“my daughter,
you need more yang
earth between your toes”
the moon
is what she wants
obsession scents the air
with triple pirouettes
the dancer spins away
—
Genie’s note: “Echappe,” a ballet step, literally means “escape.” “Pirouette” means “turn.” All terms in ballet are in French.
Genie Nakano was born in East Los Angeles, California. She experiments with movement, dance and music when performing at open mics and spoken word events. She is widely published in journals, and her recent haibun, tanka/tales book Enter the Stream is available on Amazon. Genie can be reached by email.