hand in hand

we walked hand in hand
you and I
your small hand in mine
every day
from home to school
we walked a knot of Tokyo streets
life sprawling vast
colorful cantankerous
from sidewalks too narrow
we dodged the clangor of errant bikes
the crawling cars
the aproned housewife
swishing up dust to keep her kerb clean
we stepped around
the yasaiya hawking bins
of vegetables bright scarlet and green
skirted vats of amber brine
where pickles glowed like molten gems
skipped past the ochaya
ensconced behind mounds of redolent teas
Irrashaimase
Irrashaimase they called
Ohayoh you sang back
but pulled me resolutely on

we ran hand in hand
you in uniform of navy and teal
pleated skirt flying flying
as you heard the school bells ring
at the gate you slipped your hand
out of mine
waved
and home I went
my hand lonely for yours

now far from Tokyo streets
your childhood years my secret to hold
we sometimes walk
you and I
sometimes
you turn back
touch your hand to mine
your hand
no longer small
I smile
and remember