Holly Thompson-I
Charm
each morning
as she sets off for work
Saya, adult daughter
of the woman across the street
turns as she rounds the bend
waves with furtive tilt of hand
mouths itte kimasu—
I go, I will return
pact
charm
talisman
to her mother
shadow behind curtain sheers
who mouths back
itte irashai—
you go, you will return
my teen daughter
throws a ja ne or bye
over her shoulder
as she leaps down steps
hurling herself into
another school day
charm me
I want to say
as she rounds the bend
I say my half anyway
you go, you will return
you go, you will return
each morning
as she sets off for work
Saya, adult daughter
of the woman across the street
turns as she rounds the bend
waves with furtive tilt of hand
mouths itte kimasu—
I go, I will return
pact
charm
talisman
to her mother
shadow behind curtain sheers
who mouths back
itte irashai—
you go, you will return
my teen daughter
throws a ja ne or bye
over her shoulder
as she leaps down steps
hurling herself into
another school day
charm me
I want to say
as she rounds the bend
I say my half anyway
you go, you will return
you go, you will return