Tip Toe Poem by Suki Nakamura

all my life
i am governed by the code
of righteousness
and so everyday i tiptoe
stumbling is a sin
and every step
has to be cautiously done
and even counted.

all my life
i live upon the praises of
my elders

'this is suki, the model'

and so i only had tiptoes
until one day
i stumble and crash my face
on the muddy pavement
towards the temple
of purity

until one day
i have blood in my hands
and in my kimono some stains

until one day
i free myself from tiptoes
until one day
i have wings

until one day
i fly away and never come back