"More than gems in my comb box shaped by the
God of the Sea， I prize you， my daughter. . ."
Lady Otomo， 8th century， Japan
A woman weaves
her daughter's wedding
slippers that will carry
her steps into a new life.
The mother weeps alone
into her jeweled sewing box
slips red thread
around its spool，
the same she used to stitch
her daughter's first silk jacket
embroidered with turtles
that would bring luck， long life.
She remembers all the steps
taken by her daughter's
unbound quick feet：
dancing on the stones
of the yard among yellow
butterflies and white breasted sparrows.
And she grew， legs strong
body long， mind
independent.
Now she captures all eyes
with her hair combed smooth
and her hips gently
swaying like bamboo.
The woman
spins her thread
from the spool of her heart，
knotted to her daughter's
departing
wedding slippers.