Shikoku 

Kobo Dashi

As I take my first step 

I invite you 

I call for you 

Come walk with me 

And I will walk as you 

Strike the bell 

Like wasabi on my tongue saying 

Look here, right now. 

or you’ll miss it. 

Wind blowing leaves 

Highway trucks blowing wind 

I say his name softly when I walk 

Gentle to not break the cherry blossoms 

Is he walking with me? 

Statue statue statue

On and on

See the eyes move

If I stare too long

The sound of my heartbeat 

In the quiet 

Or is that his? 

Quite thoughts screaming memories 

The volume of silence turned up to 88 

I try my best to 

Let it reveal 

Uncover 

Pushing legs heart first into the wind 

Leaving my lungs on the mountain and my bleeding feet at the sea 

Carrying 17 pounds of frustration

In my backpack  

Including the fear 

Paint brushing ballerina dancing black ink

Into permanence in my book 

Forever 

I march 

Into a tunnel with my 

elbows pinned into the side of my lungs 

Until I can untie my white super hero cape

Then soften

Into a cup of tea 

from a stranger 

I write on paper 

Who I am 

Where I am from 

What day it is 

And 

A wish 

Then write it 176 more times 

So I don’t forget 

I drop it into the box and whisper

“I was here” 

Along with everyone before me 

For 1,000 years 

Burning feet spark anger 

I curse this mountain 

I curse you 

I curse me 

Melted by calm temples 

I forgot why I was angry 

Until I understand the truth: 

My legs walk further than my feet are able

Heart sees more than my eyes

The journey leads me

Further than the destination 

When I near the end they 

open the temple doors

Wide 

And I step inside 

up close to his face. 

Closer than I’ve ever been before.

In the morning mist 

Of the final day 

Kobo Dashi says goodbye to me

“Be proud 

You made it this far 

Chant loud 

And become more of who you are.”

I was with you. The entire time.