the red and orange of your dress

the pink silk of your hands
reminds me of the colors
she was

I am Japanese

your face is like hers
the black hair cut closely to your ears

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxwe were Japanese
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxmy fifth birthday
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxshe made me a kimono

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxto match the one she wore
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxfor ceremonials and feasts

xxxxxxxxxxshe folded yellow birds
xxxxxxxxxxfrom a smooth and shiny paper

xxxxxxxxxxstrung them high above my bed