2024/Josephine-

I am from the land of the rising sun,

from the tan sand, and the blue ocean.

I am from the place where cars roam under the city lights.

I ate ramen, it tasted like the salty sea.

I am from the pits of snow and fields of trees,

the deer whose gracefulness I remember

as if it was my own.

I’m from the land of green macha fields and pink flowers,

from vibrant cherry blossom trees and peaceful forests.

I'm from the sound of cicadas and the

sound of trees, from the peaceful temples, and shrines!

I'm from the violin, with a stroke of my bow I play ten sheets of music I can play myself

I'm from the nature and the smell of

grass and water.

From the koi fish

lost to the river

used to keep at bay.

Under my bed was a glass bottle

spilling a purple note and

a dandelion full of memories

to drift beneath my dreams

I am from those moments-

Of happiness before I PCS-

I’ve fallen from my usual ways.