I see a small light
green and glowing.
It moves from side to side
like the sagelampu I carried
for you, Mama.
You said,
“Quick get the lamp, Tanouesan has a high fever.“
I held the lamp in front of us and the light
would zig zag along the dirt path
in rhythm with our footfalls.
Your healing cups would clink in time
with the crunch of dirt and small stones under our feet.
We were alone
except for frogs croaking in the dark
and the iridescent
bugs
buzzing along with us.

Jean Toyama