I bow to thee Japan

I've watched, as the wary watched.
Thinking of my father and friend Ian,
of the children too
bright once, before our hands
shook across the fault line that
breaks my heart and yours.
The rising plume Ian saw a half century ago
and could never forget upon the then sea
or his life long since after.
Of Featherston
The footsteps of peace into hilly volcanic lands.
I watch and feel ashamed
of my restraint
The holding back
while your heart breaks as mine must do
along the fault line
that says I am not you and you are not me
until I raise by head that bows to you Japan.