My Letter to My Father

Obon Day
father's bones clatter
in his grave

Dear Dad,
 
15,689 people died and 4,744 are still missing. Police and home defense force have been working very hard to find bodies. If you were in good health, you would've volunteered to help them. I'm sure. In many houses cupboards, shelves and things mounted on walls fell down.
Only a TV set fell down in the house you built. Nothing was broken. The house built by you saved my mother. She is concerned with radiation now. However she didn't give up growing vegetables. It makes her life is worth living. You know that.  This year her watermelons are superb. Big and sweet! Your son loves them. Unfortunately, he decided to avoid all products of Fukushima prefecture. It makes me sad, but I don't blame him. Your lovely granddaughter wears an air pollution mask wherever she goes outside. Mom grieves. I forgot to tell you. You are now a great grandfather.
 
love,
your daughter

Kay Higuchi was born in Tokyo. She is a member of the Boston Haiku Society and the New York Chapter of the Haiku Society of America. Higuchi is also a chigiri-e artist.