Sadako

April 18th, 2010
In memory of Sadako, and all those who died, and/or were affected by the Hiroshima bombing of Japan.

Young girl
Eleven years old
Hopes and dreams
To run like wind.

Dizzy falling
Then news comes
Of dire sickness
But still some hope of life.

Live in hope
Day in Day out
Folding many
Paper cranes.

Parents whisper
Quiet plans
Back and forth
Ideas for the future.

Family strain
For time and money
Watch as she
Loses strength.

Small smiles
Giggled words
Shared by friends
Prescious times of laughter.

Soft silk
Treasured gift
Cherry blossoms
Pangs of guilt.

Drooping lids
One paper crane
Fall asleep
Wake up again one last time.

Family and friends
All around
Loving circle
Golden crane.

Fall asleep
For good this time
644
Cranes in a row.

1,000 folded birds
At the feet
Of a young girl
Made of stone, twelve years old.

Gather there
August 6th
To lay more birds
Upon the stone.

Remember her
Her tragedy
Life and death
Sadako.

(This poem was written sparsly on purpose. For those of you who do not know her story, I highly recommend it... But keep some tissues by you.)