Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets’ daily poetry dispatch. Read “Tokiwa Ramen of Unity Square” by Saraswoti Lamichhane, part of the League’s Fresh Voices program.

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Tokiwa Ramen of Unity Square

By Saraswoti Lamichhane

When my daughter hears Tokiwa
her face brightens. A gallop to the door
as if running into waiting arms. Inside,
she scans the diners and meets the server’s gaze-
a brief connection. Then she inhales deeply
the roasted garlic and sesame oil.

The Tokyo Tonkatsu–an incantation
that casts a spell over her senses
is served. She shifts her posture
slightly, leaning forward,
another inhale over the rising steam.
The first slurp brings a look of bliss to her face,
followed by a rhythmic focus
where her universe narrows down to the bowl.

Hey, found you! She cheers up at Jei.
His smile widens as he brings her ramen cookies,
only for you. He offers her mochi,
bowing from his waist
to honour her presence. As always
Jei squats beside her chair, looking up at her face
like a devotee at the altar of his offerings.
They hold a gaze that is meant to not last.

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Copyright © Saraswoti Lamichhane

Saraswoti’s work appears in various anthologies and journals in the USA, Canada, UK, India and Nepal. She holds a Master’s degree from Pokhara University. Sara has a certificate in the Creative Writing program at the University of Toronto. Her new poetry collection is forthcoming with Mawenzi House in 2026.

Fresh Voices is a publication and workshop program created by and for the League’s associate members, curated and edited by Erin Vance.

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