She used to play her hair. Just like a stringed musical instrument.

Now she no longer wears it loose.

Oh, how sad that she, instead,

Wears it in a knot at her neck. Just like her mother does.

“Face the pain with composure.”

Advice from her mother.

“Live here without hating yourself,

Live honourably, despite the pain.”

Ishmael was her pain. And pleasure.

Now she is married to a ‘Jap’ like herself.

Gain one thing. Lose another.

On her wedding night,

No one knew she thought of Ishmael.

Cynical Carl concluded that accident controls all the cosmos,

Except the chambers of the human heart.

Dead, pure snow conceals the cedar’s chamber,

A place where Ishmael and She

Romanced. So long ago.

“So long Hatsue.”