Chieko Who Has Become an Element
Chieko has already returned to an element.
I don’t believe in the independent existence
…of the spirit.
……And yet
Chieko exists.
Chieko is within my flesh.
Chieko is clinging fast to me—
A phosphorescent light burning in my cells
……… Teasing me
………….. Prodding me
Never allowing me to fall prey to the
feeble-mindedness of an old man.
The spirit is another name for the body.
And Chieko, who is within my flesh,
Is the far north of my soul.
Chieko is there as unending judge.
Not right when the Chieko within me
. is asleep
I am only okay when I hear her
. voice whispering in my ear.
Chieko is within all of me, purely
Joyfully leaping within me.
Chieko, who has become an element,
. Is even now within my flesh, smiling at me
by Kōtarō Takamura (1883-1956)
from Asymtote
translation: Leanne Martin
—original Japanese at: Read More
元素智恵子
智恵子はすでに元素にかへつた。
わたくしは心霊独存の理を信じない。
智恵子はしかも実存する。
智恵子はわたくしの肉に居る。
智恵子はわたくしに密着し、
わたくしの細胞に燐火を燃やし、
わたくしと戯れ、
わたくしをたたき、.
わたくしを老いぼれの餌食にさせない。
精神とは肉体の別の名だ。
わたくしの肉に居る智恵子は
（1949 年 10 月）