DRAGICA OHASHI

 

 

To A Palestine Friend From My Youth

 

The years fly by

And the wounds on the soul did not heal

I wish the memories were more beautiful

This is how we carry the burden of the past

Your beautiful eyes under the scarf

Now they hide their sorrow

Student days in peace

And your smile

They decorated our cafe

With warm international charisma

Back then I thought anything was possible

Today I know the war destroyed my dreams

I would like peace to come to your home.

 

Tears On The Palm Of The Refugee

 

The refugees' tears burn

As they fall into my palm

Do you know what it means to be a refugee?

Do you know what it means

To move from place to place

From one country to another

Leaving everything you had

Songs had no place in a small suitcase

Nor branded clothes

Only one pair of shoes and clothes for the children

And someone is a suitcase with clothes by mistake

Replaced with a suitcase full of books

Which you will never read

And when you see another refugee

And you meet her sad eyes

You feel sorry because you can't help it

And you don't mind that the other person has a different skin color

And you don't care what clothes she wears

I would only like to bridge that river of suffering and pain

Innocent victims of other people's whims of war.

 

DRAGICA OHASHI

 

DRAGICA OHASHI (Female, born 22. 10. 1967. Velika Glava, Skradin, Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia). She participated in the "Books for Tomorrow (ASHITA NO HON) " Project 2011(JBBY Japan). Dragica Ohashi poetry, works and illustrations have appeared in numerous publications and media in Japan and worldwide. Publications include – catalogue Artissimo, Hiragana Times, NIC News, En Vie Magazine, Taj Mahal Review, Diogen Magazine, Metro News, Catalogue Palatifini Cartoons 2012, BookILL Fest 2012,  SIZIF, Creative Review, Asahi Haikuist Network Issue, Haikuniverse, United Haiku and Tanka Society, HAIKU MASTERS TV NHK WORLD, Japan 2017, Haiku Poetry Book "Peace Harmony" 2019, Video poetry for KM100 NZ International festival held online on 17-19 November 2023.