Plum Tree by Tricia Marcella Cimera

the wan gold moon
shining coldly down
says nothing.

the nine black koi
swimming in their pond
say nothing.

the pink blossoms that
fall in april like tears
say nothing.

they pass no Judgements
on the child suicide
hanging from a low branch

of the japanese plum tree.

 

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Note:  “Last year, suicide was the leading cause of death for Japanese children between the ages of 10 and 19….Other overarching cultural trends, like hikikomori, a form of social withdrawal, augment the problem further.”  The Wilson Quarterly, Stephanie Lu, October 22, 2015

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