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HALF CENTURY IN AMERICA

I have been choosing harder ways all my life…

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    • 'It's me!' – Self-publishing 1988
      • – About Me
      • 1. Poems Written in Japan 1963-1965
      • 2. Poems Written as a Fresh off the Boat 1966-1970
      • 3. Poems presented to Dr. Schneider 1970-1979
      • 4. Poems Written during a Transitional Stage and after my "Schneider" Stage 1975-1987
      • 5. TANKA (Poems in 31 Japanese syllables) 1965-1987
      • 6. Words for Songs 1966-1968

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  • My Philosophy
  • My value

5. TANKA (Poems in 31 Japanese syllables) 1965-1987

  • IN JAPAN 1965
  • TO MY LOVE IN VIET NAM
  • IN JAPAN 1965
  • TANKA 1967
  • SIX TANKAS FOR DR. SCHNEIDER
  • TANKA DEDICATED TO MY FATHER AT HIS “BEIJU” CELEBRATION

IN JAPAN 1965

My childish hands
became translucent and supple
because of my pleasure in knowing you.

*

Missing your smell,
I started playing with smoking,
which has become my habit,
while I was not aware of it.

*

Midst of smoking,
I sighed, deep through my whole body,
I miss you very much.

*

Already a mark of your love has
  disappeared from my skin,
which is in love, and fragrant, in vain.

In Japan 1965

TO MY LOVE IN VIET NAM

For Akihiko Okamura

To your soul, I devote myself.
Doing so, I will find the value in my soul.

*

Covered with mud, bitten by leeches,
your skin.
Let me clean it with my kiss.

*

May you be safe.
I pray with my whole heart.
If possible, I would trade with my life.

In Japan 1965

IN JAPAN 1965

It is a mere flower,
which I happened to pass by on my way of life.
But, I can’t help but pluck it off,
because of its beauty.

*

Even if I love you,
after all, I have no choice but to be loved.
It is beautiful, yet it is sad.

*

Even if I was born as one of your ribs,
I do have a power to love.

In Japan 1965

TANKA 1967

Today, a flower blooms.
Tomorrow, it will die.
Yet, I can’t help loving it because of its beauty.

*

Incessant sea roars at Laguna beach.
The tide of young blood rises competitively.

*

On your skin, with my finger,
I count syllables.
What a delightful way to write
a poem of love.

1967

SIX TANKAS FOR DR. SCHNEIDER

At dawn,
why do I wake up again?
My tender flesh pines for you as usual.

1970

     *

“Stand up.”
Holding my hands clinging to him,
my master communicates warmth
through his benevolent hand.

1972

     *

The inside of my thighs moistens so tenderly.
Swearing on that, I declare to you,
“My love is true.”

1973

     *

My hair is just washed.
Fragrance.
A breeze also loves it.

*

Hunger from sex-drive used to awake my body.
I have reached the age to long for those days.

*

A long time since,
I am aware of sex-drive,
Have I reached the age to cherish it.

1975

TANKA DEDICATED TO MY FATHER AT HIS “BEIJU” CELEBRATION

a special celebration for the 88th birthday

When I was little,
I used to run to keep up with father’s steps.
Now I slow down so painfully
to walk with him.

*

My childhood,
a string of memories with my father.
Brighter than lights along a coastline.

*

My father used to hold my little hand
  so warmly.
Now, his hand is cold and hard
in my hand.

*

My father is a good person.
I can say so with no hesitation.
Glad I am his daughter.

*

Love I received from you,
without returning it to you,
I live as I like, far away from you.
Do you regret me?

*

I will tray to live each moment
  meaningfully.
Will you forgive me
for being so set on going my own way?

*

My father can be expressed by one word.
   LOVE.

(Haiku — 17 Japanese syllables)

6/21/87

© 1963-2025 Toshiko Honda