Cosmos

by Momoe Yamaguchi


Pale pink cosmos are swaying
In the autumn sun
My mother, who is easily moved to tears these days,
Coughs once in the garden

She opens an album sitting on the porch
And goes on and on about my childhood
Over and over again
In a small voice as if talking to herself

On a tranquil day like this warm Autumn day
Her kindness seeps in right through me
She smiles and says to me who is getting married tomorrow
“Don’t you worry for time will turn
Your hard times into stories you can laugh at”

Going down the memory lane
There never was a day I was alone
I bite my lips as now I realize
How selfish I have been

I pack for tomorrow with her help
And it was fun for a while
But suddenly bursting into tears
My mother says to me “Take care of yourself” again and again

With the words “Arigato” engraved in my heart
I will live my life.
On a tranquil day like this warm Autumn day
Let me be your child
A little longer