friends and poetry

saturday night. 7:46p.m.
A beautiful evening in Indiana: unseasonably cool and fragrant.

I spent the whole of my afternoon catching up with old friends, Ariel (a doctorate student in environmental physics) and Karen (an amazing artist and carpenter). His mother Gayla Balter gave me a tour of their gardens-- a 3 acre plot of land on the outskirts of Lake Griffy and Hoosier National Forest. Beautiful country.
Gayla is one of those remarkable people whom you only recognize if you've been around a few times. For some reason I feel such a strong connection to her.

I always have meaningful conversations when I visit and I leave feeling content.

We spoke today of my trip to Japan--and the themes of the visit. It was first time since I had been home that I was able to share what I experienced in a more meaningful way. They were genuinely interested in Japanese farming and environmental issues, the perception of the Japanese educational system, recycling, its people, the food...Maybe this was the kick in the pants I needed.

The sun is setting and the birds have finished their evening song.
Been reading Greene's Heart of the Matter accompanied by a glass of wine but took pause and realized that some people are born with no poetry. What does that mean, exactly? They have no Rhyme? Rhythm? Possibly. Poetry--like Chemistry. Beautiful Poetry.

And then there is Madonna.

Here is what made me think of it:
"The poetry you read,Wilson, is too romantic. It does matter. It matters much more than love. Love isn't a fact like age and religion..."

Love isn't a fact like age or religion.
And the walls came tumbling down, down, down.
Phone wires are tough for me. I guess it takes practice--like writing poetry?

seamless perfection-self taken

she dare not smile/for fear her soulful eyes/would give her away./

Healthcare in Japan

this was my doc...

front desk help (she was wearing jeans under that labcoat)

waiting room

Getting sick while out of the country is never fun. Especially when in a program as fast-paced as this one.
Assumptions: I thought that health care in the east had its problems. I experienced the health care system in Europe and found it frightening. But I had more expectations for the Japanese system. My assumptions stemmed from the idea that in a culture so technologically advanced, so cutting-edge, the system would be comparable to ours, if not more advanced.


Being from a family of health care providers and seeing the insane hours they put in (weekends, holidays, on-call) I was again surprised that Tokyo, one of if not the largest city in Japan had so little options. I was taken to a clinic
, up a flight of stairs, out of sight from the street into a small room that served as the waiting room, front desk and office all in one.
The place for lack of tactful explanation, was run-down but played soothing music--the receptionist wore jeans under her labcoat. Keeping up appearances?
This doctor had 1 small room sectioned off with a sheet. It was in complete disarray. He sat at his desk (see photo), asked my translator (Yiga)a few questions and made a prognosis. He used archaic utensils--a mental spoonlike device to show me that my glands were indeed swollen, another device with water and vinegar was used to measure the amount of phlegm accumulating in the back of my throat.
His approach and recommendation was very holistic. He was not a fan of anti-biotics as my stomach would not tolerate them well.
However, he did prescribe 4 different pills and some gargle, which was unnecessary as far as I was concerned.

In the time I was there, he saw 5 other patients. There was very little waiting.
So, what did I learn?
I learned that appearances are not everything. This doctor was able to tell me my ailments through touch. I understand his only means for making any money is through prescribing meds, but I feel that in the states doctors pamper patients...Perhaps due to the amount of money they make?
I didn't get a chance tos the entire bill, but I believe the visit was about 3600 yen. The medications, however, brought the cost way up...The entire visit including taxi equaled around $80.
This back home would be about the same price as just a doctor visit where you would sit in a waiting room, get your blood pressure checked, temperature, height and weight while watching CNN in your room.
I prefer the holistic approach method used by the doctor. He was genuine and quick.

June 20, 2004 journal entry



A New Concept: Dr.'s office on a Sunday in Japan. Hospitals are not open on Sundays. I was told often times people drive around the hospital waiting for a parking space and often die waiting. Literally! So much for Promptcare. I think Bloomington would go into shock if there wasn't emergency care 24-7. Guess that is one way to control the population?

josh, Mari and Desire

Saturday. A little before noon.
ringing my hands, I approach the keyboard.

Scanning the photos, I try to find a place to start.






I tuned in to NPR yesterday in the middle of a program. It sounded like some kind of environmental forum of sorts. While the speaker's monologue continued he stated that we (Americans) use X amount of energy; twice the amount of Japan and the U.S. is so much bigger.

The beat-up Ford truck in front of me emitted blue smoke as he accelerated through the light. A cigarette butt was toked from the passenger side window. I had to turn up the radio to hear as another car had his bass woofers up so loud I could feel it in my chest.
The program continued...

"...Industrialization. A new industrialization is upon us...American companies are working on strategies to be more like Japan...."
I shut the radio off and sighed.

The ink dark moon

I thought to pick
the flower of forgetting
for myself
but I found it
already growing in his heart. 
 
-onn no komachi
 
my final paper is due today.(I'm working on it Josh!) 
It seems like the whole thing was a dream
and here at home it is business as usual.   Why won't they let me
remember? To whom can I share those moments? 
I want to remember everything but the subtle details
slip through the cracks of time like lucid flowing waters.
 
I don't want to share any of my thoughts or 
my intimate secrets here or anywhere.
I don't want them to know of
the people I met,
the sights that inspired,
the impact it all had on my life.
 
****
I climbed up the steep stairway to the top of the hillside in Kyoto.
Atonement was found beneath the orange boughs of the shrine;
the purification and ceremony of water--
putting out the ash with my heel;
scattering each blackened photograph 
down the mountainside like feathers.
release.
 
Atop the roof we looked out over the city
shared our stories
and held each other tightly.
 
why haven't I 
 thought of this before?
This body,
remembering yours,
is the keepsake you left.

-Izumi Shikibu