Toba 1
.
I have nothing to write about
My flesh is bared to the sun
My wife is beautiful
My children are healthy
Let me tell you the truth
I am not a poet
I just pretend to be one
I was created, and left here
Look, the sun cascades among the boulders
making the sea look darker
Other than this quiet at the height of the day
I have nothing I want to tell you about
even if you are bleeding in your country
Ah, this everlasting radiance!
by Shuntaro Tanikawa
from Tabi (Journey)
publisher: Kyuryudo, Tokyo, 1968
translation: Takako Lento, 2011
Original Japanese after the jump
