My Poem: A Dedication to My Grandfather

"Unity"

© 2009 Hachiko Yukimora

We are gathered here today

Unsure of where we stood within the cold depths of sudden chilly November. We stand next to our inner weeping Mother, watching as the gathering separated themselves into eminent groups. Culture. Color. Class. All of us, we are the same and yet so different. Today, it is different: the only days that all of these people could stand together in unity at section eleven. All coming for a single purpose dressed in solidity, chattering amongst ourselves in this cold afternoon.

The younger voices silence, yet every bow they made, an impact on our hearts. Throbbing, holding back all the sorrows of the dearly departed. Time is slow in this moment, as we remember the painful memories of happy pasts, seething differences and misunderstandings. Those days, those nights, are the ones we will never fail to remember.

in respect to the passing of

Our grandfather, forever beautiful. All saddened, yet blissful for his death. He is no longer suffering from illness and quasi-poverty. And yet, we will forever hold him dear in our hearts, and remember his joyous laughter, even till death, his lively stature. His beauty was imminent to all of us, and by being himself, he was able to express his gracious attitude and make a mark within the family name. We only blame ourselves for not taking that very last picture, but his memory. Photographic.

Remember the morning’s wake, the early yet late lunches by the small windows in his fifth floor apartment building above the drafty urban neighborhood in Chinatown on eleventh street.

Let us join in unison, on this day.

It was as if he was still amongst us, crying with us. His drips of cold rain within the beautiful cemetery—the best that we could provide so that he could enjoy the scenic view of blooming flowers and its tall trees. With his new company, his new neighbors, lying and resting in peace amongst all others. We are all together, joined by this man’s death, our grandfather, still doing what is great for all of us, even in death. Unsure whether to celebrate, for that may be what he would of wanted this day to be—rather than confronted by heartbreaking sadness and grief.

In this moment of silence, his resting place.

We will visit every year for our grandfather, pressing on pretty tulips of every color to brighten the day in his very honor. Our grandfather, whom we took for granted in every bit of essence of his life. We are gathered here today, in his honor, to bring his soul to peace. He will have everything that he has ever wanted. Power, money, and value; all for him, these are our gifts for him.