Sometimes my silent pre-verbal thoughts

make there way to the world I live in.

I was thinking about the lack

of Japanese people in my life

after living there for ten years.

Today, I go to the airport

where a Japanese young girl

will arrive jetlagged before us–

an unknown entity to both of us.

She will become my charge tomorrow

and in my head I plan the day.

On the phone today

someone knew someone I know

and I spat out their last name

before she brought it forward.

Wouldn’t it be strange

if I knew this person

getting off the plane or

knew people she knows.

In any case, I can

bridge the known to

the unknown city

her heart longed to meet, and

I am remembering the last time

I got off the plane from Japan.

©Roseroberta