Escape and Inescapable Conflict

The theme of escape permeates this collection of tanka poetry, reflecting a deep emotional struggle between hope and despair. The author likens their experience to a bird in a cage, grappling with the fear of impending blindness while finding solace in memories of their homeland, marked by cherry blossoms and snow. Despite a grim prognosis, they have defied expectations for over three decades, using their journey to America as a means to pursue their life's purpose in learning. This tension between longing for freedom and the comfort of nostalgia shapes their poetic expression.