During the season of cherry blossoms, after more than fifty years of being separated by more than six-thousand miles, we met again. This gentle man, Kenji, who I knew only for one year, all those years ago. So many changes in the world since last we’d seen each other. Kenji was a foreign exchange student from Japan, during our senior year at my Illinois high school. And now I was a visitor in his home country. There for a few days to experience his beautiful culture. In his hometown of Tokyo for one day. How would it be to see him again?
We sat in a small restaurant over a pot of fresh brewed tea. Shared news about our lives, careers and family. Reminisced too. And somehow, the years melted away and friendship bloomed again.
cold brings frost, stunts growth
trees remain rooted in earth –
blossoms come again
Written for Haibun Monday at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today Frank asks us to consider cherry blossoms. A haibun combines prose and haiku.
Photo is from our cruise to China, South Korea and Japan in 2019. Such a wonderful reunion with Kenji Kojima! And how appropriate that our friendship bloomed once again exactly during cherry blossom season in Japan.
lillian the home poet 
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone.
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A beautiful story, Lillian. Love the photo. How wonderful to visit him in his home country. Love your Haiku. Trees are so resilient
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That’s so cool that you got to see him again, in Japan. A nice blooming story!
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I love this. This is so important. My life has been completely guided by these types of exchanges in my mother’s life. She may have given my poems as a thank you today.
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How wonderful! I love your haiku – it is full of wisdom.
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Awwww…. That’s so sweet!
-David
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What a lovely, personal, post! Made me smile. Your skill in weaving into the prompt was superb!
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Wow! ❤
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A cherry blossom is fitting for renewing a friendship.
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What a lovely moment to meet someone after such a long time… 🙂
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Sounds like a really nice reunion and a fun trip🙂
Pat
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