THE  27Th  EDITIOn

How To Fold a Kimono
by Marilyn Copley Hilton

1. Lay your kimono face up

on a large, flat surface.

September, Mori-sensei taught me

how to wear my blue-wave kimono

and tie the obi, and talked of ghosts.

Soon I dressed myself and watched for shadows.

2. Fold the front panels toward the center:

side seams at the edges, collar flat,

sleeves outspread.

November, I spilled matcha on its waves.

Instead of scolding, sensei coaxed out 

the green powder with flicks of a towel.

3. Using seams as a folding guide,

open the right-front panel

aligning the collar point and right edge.

January in the tearoom:

water simmered in the kama,

the fusuma opened—

gasp of winter air.

4. Pull the left-front panel over the right,

aligning the collar and seams.

March, remembering a face from home,

blues flooded my spirit.

My new handkerchief, soaked with tears.

5. Lift the left side seam,

pulling it to meet the right.

The left sleeve will follow.

May, a boy with a motorcycle

rode me up Mt. Hiei.

Below us, Lake Biwa’s shores glittered

with fallen stars.

6. Flatten the left sleeve over the body,

flip the kimono, then

flatten the right sleeve over the body.

June, dusk on the temple grounds, monks chanted,

insects flitted through thin light.

A kitten on the path. I tucked her into my sleeve.

7. Press a V into the collar at the neck,

and smooth flat.

August, Midori-san walked me to the bus stop

for the last time, and gave me her cloisonné earrings.

Last night I dreamed of her ghost.

8. Fold the kimono in half lengthwise,

bottom over top,

and place it in its wrapper.

Today I carried my kimono to its new owner

like a child from its nap.

How can I pay you? she asked.

I say, Wear it.