14
Fifteen Poets of
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.
