Between the Spaces of Time: A Poetic Exploration of the Effects of War and the Journey of Healing

By Ann Marie L. Bonasera

Through her personal journal entries and poetry, the author AnnMarie L. Bonasera speaks through the narrator, Ann, who informs the reader about Japans culture and the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Bonasera provides insight into the experiences of the Japanese and American people who were in a war that brought mental and physical devastation that not only affected their lives but the lives of their offspring. In addition, Bonasera communicates the feeling of internal pain and conflict, and the dilemma of finding oneself lost in a place that is somewhere else.

In Between the Spaces of Time, Bonasera tries to make sense of the senselessness of war and its atrocities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462059331

Ann Marie L. Bonasera

AnnMarie L. Bonasera was born and raised in New York City. She received her B.A. from City College and took her graduate studies at Columbia University’s East Asia Institute at the School of International Affairs, Brooklyn College, and Excelsior College. She holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Social Studies. She is a visual artist, writer, and teacher of students of many cultures from around the world.

Book preview

Between the Spaces

of Time

A Poetic Exploration of the Effects of War and the

Journey of Healing

Ann Marie L. Bonasera

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Between the Spaces of Time

A Poetic Exploration of the Effects of War and the Journey of Healing

Copyright © 2010, 2012 by Ann Marie L. Bonasera.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4620-5931-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-5932-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-5933-1 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011918826

iUniverse rev. date: 04/05/2012

Contents

Acknowledgments

The Angel of Death

I. My Mind is Full of Memories

II. The Day in Hell

III. Life in a Dream World

IV. Lost in a Place called Somewhere Else

V. Hello is the Beginning of Goodbye

VI. Chidori-ga-fuchi

VII. High Technology

VIII. Centered

IX. Silent Suffering

X. Enemy, Friend.

XI. Who am I?

XII. The Dark Night of the Soul

XIII. The Passing

Between the Spaces of Time

Dedicated

To

Michael

The

Archangel

Acknowledgments

In loving memory of my Uncle Frank Colaiacovo, who served in the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Army, and served in the American Occupation in Japan, receiving a World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupational Metal for his service in Japan. In loving memory of my father, Gesualdo Bonasera, company A 15th Infantry 3rd Division of the United States Army, who fought in battles in Italy, and Ethiopia. In loving memory of my Uncle Joseph Bonasera, who fought in France, and to all the members of my family who served their country in World War II.

With gratitude and loving memory to Marie D’Amato, who served as a nurse in the Army Air Corps and who supported me with research materials and many stories that inspired me to learn more about World War II.

With gratitude to Uncle Rudy Nero, who served in the Army Air Corps in 1944 and rode a B-24, called The Liberator. Many of our conversations stimulated an interest for further study.

With grateful appreciation to Elmer Myers, Juliet Young, and Richard Charap, of P.S. /M.S. 194 who were very supportive during a difficult transition period.

With loving affection to Mindy Ludwig, who believed in me and encouraged me to keep working when I wanted to take a break, and whose nurturing and dynamic presence would not allow me to get tired or discouraged.

I am grateful to my Japanese friends who welcomed me to their country in 1975, and shared many stories and experiences that connected our lives for many years.

This story is written with compassion and hope for those who are in emotional pain. May you never feel alone, and may your peace be restored by feeling that we are all waves in the same ocean.

The Angel of Death

The Angel of Death

Came announced

In the humming sounds

Of motors above head

In the form of a B29

Descending

On a sunny and bright morning

Into a garden of earth’s

Multicolored flowers.

Merging with Life

The Angel of Death

Became a cloud.

How could I be planting flower seeds

Inside the ground

And then become a shadow stained on a

Piece of wood?

How could I lose my

Face

In a split second of time?

There is no time

When the Angel of Death visits.

How mind-boggling!

When Death mates with Life

The offspring is Devastation

And Ugliness.

Could any beauty be born of

Death’s dark shadows?

Death lingers,

Like a declining plane

And if you live

You live in Death’s shadow

Who nags at you

And mocks you at every turn;

And if you try to forget,

That cloud reappears to remind you

Because Death lurks in the

Shadows