Kimono

Mama uses her mother-of-pearl-handle scissors

to unwrap a package from Auntie Sachi.

“Look, Mimi-chan!” she says,

and slides her fingernails pink as blossoms

under the seam of the brown paper wrapping,

winds the twine around her fingers,

and ties a loose knot for safekeeping.

Then she carefully peels back the paper

covering a box.

“What’s in it?” I ask impatiently.

“Wait,” Mama says, and lifts the lid.

Inside is tissue paper.

“Auntie sent us tissue paper?” I ask.

“Let’s see,” Mama says, and opens the layers.

Underneath lies a length of silk

blue as a robin’s egg

and a note.

Dear Emiko,

You never treat yourself,

so use this silk for a kimono

for spring.

“It’s so pretty,” I say, touching the fabric. “Isn’t it?”

Mama just makes her Mifune face,

then gently folds up the silk

and puts it back in the box.