Upon arriving,
I would have never known that by the time I left
that I could find myself in love
with its easy going spirit.
A spirit that took hold of me,
embracing my heart in its kingdom,
the Ryukyu kingdom of worry free wonder
and a peaceful calm.
I felt in place on these Islands,
Islands of serene color where its people
are brothers and sisters in hand
with one heartbeat
beating to the rhythm of
taiko drums, snakeskin sanshin,
and eisa dancers dancing through
pottery filled streets.
Streets riddled in shisa -
paired lion dogs – guardians,
sitting on residents rooftops,
overseeing and protecting the island
and its people from harms path.
A path in which island winds
enchant the air,
air traveled over art painted seawalls
where lovers and couples play
and waves wash their worries away.
I never knew that I could fall in love with a land,
until I left,
and realized,
I left my heart in Okinawa
Share
Travis, You seem to have a lot in common with my husband. He also was a Marine and spent time in Okinawa. But, lucky for me I had already stolen his heart before he left! Beautiful poem.
Hi Shirley. That’s cool! As you can see, I love Okinawa. I am visiting again this August!
Good for you. I hope it’s all you remember it to be…and more!
Reads as smooth as prose, but carries the depth and music of poetry!
Thank you Mike! Yes, you’re right, I did kind of write it like a hybrid of the two. Thank you for your insight!
t.j. is there any room in your suit case for me? i want to go to nihon!!!!
this poem makes me want to visit the land of the rising sun even more, too. i got completely swept away with the scenery. the words do wonders, your words do wonders.
kirena – beautiful
Katy, I wish I could bring you! I know you would really love Okinawa and be able to appreciate it as I do. This poem isn’t about Japan in general, but specifically about Okinawa. Okinawans have their own dialect, unique culture, ect… apart from “mainland Japan” Okinawa is to Japan like Hawaii is to the U.S. It’s absolutely “kirena!” Katy, oh how I wish you could get a chance to visit Okinawa.
Travis,
I am convinced that the sacred geometry inside us aligns nearly perfectly in certain places we live and visit. The harmonics of Okinawa filled you, and who knows, may have given rise to the poetry you live as you life.
That sounds so right Don!