Haiku

before leaving my room

I look back at my Buddhas,

bow my head and go

-- Michael Boiano

In late afternoon sun, a student at the beginning of her life shares a calm and joyful island of learning with her old teacher who is closer to the end of his own life. The student, Kako, loves unicorns and ballet, and the teacher, your faithful Nobody, loves the goodness of heart in his small students and the wonderful magic that can happen where learning takes place..

I didn’t know her Mom was taking this photo, but I’m happy she did and I will cherish it for all the days of struggle I have left in this world. And my student? Perhaps one day, enjoying a quiet coffee in a similar sort of light in a Tokyo cafe, she will remember that funny old teacher who gave her cookies and read stories of pink unicorns with her.

Haiku

the nightingale's song

lulls me slowly toward sleep

halfway to dreams of her

-- Michael Boiano