Norimaki Sushi

Plump, white oval grains of

Steamed sticky rice cling together

In the dish, round wooden handai,

Full like a waiting moon.

Fold in rice vinegar, salty-sweet.

Fan the scented clouds of steam.

Sushi rice—Sumeshi

Take the rice to the nori

Seaweed, dark sheet paper-thin.

Deep red tuna, scallions join,

Enclosed as in a wave,

And sliced into circles, with

Wet-bright pebble centers.

Tuna roll—Tekka Maki.

Warm fragrance of

Peaceful green tea.

Pink, pickled ginger smells sweet,

A patient rose.

Soy sauce, brown as polished driftwood,

Singed by fiery

Green horseradish—Wasabi.

Chopsticks lift the sushi,

Skim the soy sauce.

Bring the round taste

Of rice, of saltspray, of the sea

Home to my mouth,

Edged with a sharp sinus sting.

Thank you—Arigato.