Fifteen Poets of Modern Japan/Takuboku Ishikawa
Takuboku Ishikawa
1
A hundred times
I traced in the sand
The character signifying “greatness.”
Then I arose and departed,
Forsaking my plan of suicide.
I traced in the sand
The character signifying “greatness.”
Then I arose and departed,
Forsaking my plan of suicide.
2
To die? For what? For this?
To live, then! For what? For this?
Let the argument cease!
To live, then! For what? For this?
Let the argument cease!
3
I climbed to the top of the mountain.
I took off my hat and waved it.
I came down.
I took off my hat and waved it.
I came down.
4
The stupid people struggle
And crowd forward to draw lots.
I feel inclined to draw one myself.
And crowd forward to draw lots.
I feel inclined to draw one myself.
5
Whenever I get angry
I shall break a dish.
Before I die
I shall have broken
Nine hundred and ninety-nine.
I shall break a dish.
Before I die
I shall have broken
Nine hundred and ninety-nine.
6
I went into a vacant house
And smoked cigarettes.
I wished to be alone.
And smoked cigarettes.
I wished to be alone.
7
In the soft drift of snow
I buried my hot cheek.
I desired that kind of love.
I buried my hot cheek.
I desired that kind of love.
8
I came to a shop filled with mirrors,
And was amazed
At the miserable spectacle
Of myself walking.
And was amazed
At the miserable spectacle
Of myself walking.
9
I wanted to ride on the train,
But when I got off
I had no place to go.
But when I got off
I had no place to go.
10
I longed to say something good
Of someone.
I had grown tired
Of my own selfishness.
Of someone.
I had grown tired
Of my own selfishness.
11
Feeling inclined toward charity,
I agreed with a friend of mine
Who is conceited.
I agreed with a friend of mine
Who is conceited.