Belonging to Girl H, designated at birth. Over time evolved from
今 さら屋根 やら橋 ら灰色 の蘭 とか言われ ても黒い idea of
orchid 絵 to image of orchid to real orchid, described as fitting for
Girl H—how perfect, how complimentary, how beautiful.
We do not draw attention to the fact that they have long ceased
to mention のなか でうご めいてい る濃い色の 花が武 器だと
Girl H and her grey orchid. In fact all of this took place so long ago
that Girl H’s understanding of the orchid is limited to the vague
いうこ とだけ は隠し sensation of a residual history.
At the great bridge Girl H is asked to present her papers. All she 通し
has is the grey orchid. They accept it, but not without reminding her
that she is crossing with a bad orchid. They will be checking on her
て行こう. Her foot falters; she crosses. In the distance, a field of
daisies waving.
from Some Girls Walk Into The Country They Are From (Wave Books, 2020) by Sawako Nakayasu
