Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath

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The 1971 photograph at the center of Minamata,
a photo essay by W. Eugene Smith, on the effects
of mercury poisoning due to corporate negligence
in the fishing village of Minamata, Japan.

Tomoko is in her bath, where she is lifted
            by her mother, Ryoko
Ryoko cradles her daughter in her arms
            and will not let her go

This is a mother holding her child
            and spreading water over her limbs
This is a mother cherishing her daughter
            in the darkness and in the light

It is Ryoko, Tomoko’s mother
           it is Cleva, my own mother
It is Selene, my daughter, it is all of us
           lifted and brought together

Look on this scene, you masters
           look on this inalienable moment
Look on this water so full of shadows
           know what it is that gathers here