I kneel
Beside a fire
Where
Forsaken stones
Lean-
Shippo dozes
Upon my lap,
Kagome
Against
My shoulder-
I watch him
Among the ruins,
Hair streaming
Down his back,
Red garments
The only color
In the rain-
Standing
Before a
Broken marker;
Some long
Forgotten grave.
He thinks me
A foolish
Old woman,
Asleep.

He claps his
Hands once,
Twice,
And bows,
The rain
Enhancing
His difference,
His beauty…

…oh,
Dear sister,
I now
Understand
What you
Once saw
In him
So long ago-
My dear
Lost sister,
Whose stolen
Ashes we
Pursue.

He straightens,
And walks
Towards
My little fire-
Eyes distant,
Straight backed,
Graceful,
Hair beaded
By rain-
A sapling
Growing tall
Amidst the
Ruins.