Sagaki

For Katie, who was tak­en too young, raped and beat­en until she was no more. I’m sor­ry I tried to for­get; I was almost as young as you were and I did­n’t know that I could sur­vive knowing.

For Ann, who took her own life. You were a fel­low suf­fer­ing being. I wish I could have shared in your pain and com­fort­ed you the way you reached out and com­fort­ed me after the earthquake.

For Rachel, who over­dosed twen­ty years after being the sec­ond-to-last per­son to see Katie alive. There, but only for the grace of God went I. I hope that you’ve found the peace that was robbed from you.

For Rachel, who tilt­ed at bull­doz­ers. I wish I’d known you bet­ter. Although it would have hurt that much more to lose you, I would choose the pain.

None of you will be for­got­ten. Yet I must say good-bye.

Light Is In Your Eyes—Voodoo Child