Fifteen Poets of Modern Japan/Takeko Kujo
Takeko Kujo
1
This quiet is so precious!
No voice sounds in heaven or on earth.
The moon and I are alone.
No voice sounds in heaven or on earth.
The moon and I are alone.
2
I do not know
If it be the fire of God
Or the fire of Satan,
But where its light leads me
I will go.
If it be the fire of God
Or the fire of Satan,
But where its light leads me
I will go.
3
This rain,
Unlike the gentle showers of spring,
Reminds me of your voice
When you are angry.
Unlike the gentle showers of spring,
Reminds me of your voice
When you are angry.
4
Spring days, they say, are long.
Yesterday seemed so short,
But today—alas!
Yesterday seemed so short,
But today—alas!
5
You are not here,
And I am waiting and waiting for the moon,
Which does not rise.
It is a heart-breaking night
For man and sky.
And I am waiting and waiting for the moon,
Which does not rise.
It is a heart-breaking night
For man and sky.
6
The evening breeze
Blows the cherry-blossoms
Back to heaven.
They are too beautiful
For man’s earth.
Blows the cherry-blossoms
Back to heaven.
They are too beautiful
For man’s earth.
7
The sinking sun
Is the soul of a giant.
Like my soul
It is bloody and burning.
Is the soul of a giant.
Like my soul
It is bloody and burning.