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若きらに交じる湖畔の合宿のわがスピーチにこもる高ぶり
At the lakeside camp, give a speech with excitement to my audience consisting mainly of the young
若きらと議論する口調に戻り来る現役当時のわれさながらに
In my manner of talking with the young, the tone, used to be in those days at work, quickly comes back
高齢化社会を論ふ若きらは姥捨山の古事にも及ぶ
The young who discusses the current aging society finally touches the story of granny dumping as legend goes
ことごとに昔を語るわれにしてけふも昭和のいくさに触れる
Having an inclination to talk about the old days one way or another, touched the story of the Showa's war again today
年金の制度危ぶむ若者がハンバーグ食みつつ言へり「何とかなるさ」
The young man who doesn't believe the present pension system could last in the future, eating hamburger, he says "We will survive!"
二次会へ吾をいざなふ言葉なくまばゆき夜の街に若きらは消ゆ
Without a word inviting me to the post-party party, the young has disappeared into the bright mid-evening town
人よりも二年遅れて大学生になりゐきわれの成人の日は
My own Coming-of-Age Day; it was when I'd become a student at the university lagging two years behind the age peers
やるせなき思ひ抱きて研修に労組をつぶす手だてを学ぶ
With a disconsolate feeling, learn at the in-house workshop how to dismantle the noncooperative labor union
ポケットの鍵束に手を遊ばせて教師は次の質問を待つ
Playing with the bunch of keys in his pocket, the teacher waits for the next question from his students
誕生日は死を思ふ日とラジオ言へりけふ六十歳の吾のその日に
A radio program says people must brood on death on their birthday, and it's right today I've reached the 60th of mine
パソコンにわが生涯のくさぐさを残さむとけふもキーを打ちつぐ
In an attempt to leave the record of my life on the PC, keep touch-typing everyday on the past ordinaries
幾百年かのちの世界に棲むものに届く言葉をけふもまさぐる
Everyday try fishing for verbalism that would reach those people to live in the hundreds-of-years-late world
若き嫁がわが誕生日のケーキ下げ幼子の手を引きて入り来る
With the boxed birthday cake for me, the young daughter-in-law is walking through the door leading her toddler by the hand
丸暗記せし心経を夜半ぬるき湯に浸かりゐて三たび唱ふる
Staying in the lukewarm bathtub in the middle of the night,recite three times the Buddhist Sutra that was learnt off by heart
いささかの誇張もまじへ来しかたを若きらに語るこれも詐称か
Am I lying about my career? Now I'm telling young people my records of activities, amplifying some of those cases
両の手で鉄瓶を傾げ湯たんぽに幼き吾が注ぎし熱き湯
Giving the iron kettle a tilt with both hands, the little boy, myself in my knee-high day, poured hot water into the foot warmer
さりげなき会話ながるる小津映画のシーンに吾は癒さるるらし
Feel being quenched seeing those scenes of the Ozu's film where the typical throwaway line goes on
さくさくと落葉踏む音に癒さるる小市民われの朝の通勤
Now going to business this morning too as one of the petit bourgeois who feel quenched by the sound stepping on the fallen leaves
自衛隊のイラク派遣もやむなしといつしか思ふ身の腑甲斐なき
It dawns on me that I'm a live coward gradually accepting it unavoidable to send SDF troops to the Iraqi battle area
水仙の花うつくしと語り合ふ妻とわれとの遅き朝食
Having late breakfast for my wife and myself, talk about how beautifully those daffodils blossom in the garden
イラク派兵反対のビラ捨てられし道に晴着の娘ら溢れくる
Girls dressed for the Coming-of-Age Day begin to crowd on the street where leaflets speaking against sending troops to Iraq were thrown away
移り来し小さき職場に起立して簡素なわれの経歴語る
At the small office to which I've just been transferred, talk to my new colleagues about my plain career taking the floor
新しき社員を迎ふる部屋べやに寮母の入るる三月の風
Those rooms shortly to have new recruits are aired one after another in a March breeze by the dormitory matron
目標に届かぬと知る三月の日々なほ励むセールスコールに
Though it's known the year's sales couldn't meet the target, continue making a customer call at the last few days in March
駄菓子屋もこころみしとふ父母のむかしを知らぬままに老いゆく
Advance in years before knowing in detail the story my parents even tried a papa-mama shop for their bread and butter a long time ago
地下道を仕事始めと歩みゐて朝の流れに交じる安らぎ
Feel easiness mixed in the stream of commuters walking underground in the morning of the first working day of the year
日の丸と社旗を背にして暗記せる新年の乾杯の言葉を終へぬ
Standing in the front of the houseflag and the rising sun banner, have finished giving a New Year's toast that was rehearsed at home
招かれて賀詞交はし合ふ業者らの目は十薬の動き追ひゐる
Exchanging greetings each other, the suppliers invited to the New Year buffet party keep track of the procurement officer of the host company
訪ね来し人の不在にほっとする年賀と朱書せる名刺託して
Feeling a certain sense of security knowing that the person to be greeted is absent, leave there a card carrying the New Year message printed in the red-letter
装ひし年始回りもけふまでといつもの背広に手帳を移す
As days of the New Year greetings in full dress are over now, transfer the datebook to the pocket of the everyday suit
訪ねきてなほ盛りなる清水の桜もろとも西日浴びをり
Delighted to be able to visit Kiyomizu with cherry trees still in full blossom and, together with them, expose myself to the afternoon sun
初めての一人暮らしのアパートの鍵もち歩む出勤の道
With the key to my apartment for living solo first time in life,hurry on my way going to work
戸締まりもせざる長屋に生れし身が鍵の文化の国にながらふ
Bone and bred in a row house that never fastened its doors, live a life long enough in the land of the culture of the keys
擦れ違ふライン河畔の人らみな重き鍵束たづさふるらし
Everyone passing by me along the riverside walkway of the Rhein seems to carry around with a heavy bunch of keys
フロントにツーワンセブンと笑みて言ひ誤たず貰ふわが部屋の鍵
Pronouncing carefully my room number in English with a smile, receive correctly the key from the counter clerk in the hotel
二時間にて着陸と聞きポケットのわが家の鍵に手を触れてみる
On the announcement the airplane arrives in two hours, automatically grope for the key to my house in the pocket with my hand
国境の小さき橋の橋ぐひを激しくたたきライン流るる
Beating ceaselessly the piers of the small bridge straddling the border, the Rhein flows violently
満ち足りて臥す耳になほけふ訪ひしシャフハウゼンの滝の音聞こゆ
With a satisfactory result, call it a day lying on the bed, still hear things, the sound of Schaffhausen waterfall that was visited a few hours ago
茶房には笑ひ上戸の娘ら寄りて霾る街に日は傾きぬ
Young talky girls keep laughing in the teahouse, the sun declines outdoors in the street where the bai is falling
語るたびに言葉の尻につく笑ひいつの間にわが得たるこの癖
When did I have this habit of giving a laugh at each end of my words during talking with others?
シドニーの金メダリストが笑みて語るアテネ五輪の選に洩れしを
The gold medalist in Sydney smilingly says she's been not selected for competition in the Athens Olympic Games
選ばれぬ口惜しさあまた味はひき世にかかはりて長き来し方
Having bitten my lip many times on failing to have the preference, lived a life related to the society for a long time
浪人の吾に足らずと自覚して学びし英語がけふを支ふる
Failed in an entrance examination, learned what was wrong with me, studied English very hard and that became a great help in my present life
卒業のかなはぬ夢をなほ見せるわが心底に巣くふトラウマ
There must be trauma deep in my mind driving me still to dream a threatening dream I can't earn enough credits to graduate
いささかの期待もありし昇格者人事を語る輪より外るる
Have to leave the party chatting about the name list of promotion, as there existed meager hope for myself too
かく神のわれを選びて生かしむる沈丁の香の増しくる日々を
Spend days more and more carried away by the fragrance of the winter daphne as God's selected me to live a life in this way
選ばれて本社に遠き職場へと赴任の吾を運ぶ気動車
Chosen to be transferred to a workplace far away from the headquarters, take the local rail motor now to start for my new post
川下の水道橋にわが歩む遠き影あり夏の夕ざれ
On the bridge of the thick water pipe down the river, the distant shadow of mine walking in the afternoon summer sun also moves
そのむかし学力テストの上位者にわが名ありしを妻にまた言ふ
Tell my wife again the story, once upon a time, my name was always among the high-achieving students in the aptitude test
探しゐる自転車の鍵くさむらの妻がきらきら光らせて振る
While searching my pockets for the key of a bike, see my wife in the grass shaking it shining by the reflection of the sun
身に遠きテーマなれども言論の自由をわれは若きらに説く
Though it's not one of my near affairs, urge the young intellectuals to protect free speech
政治家のプライバシー暴く週刊誌膝にひらきて男眠れり
The man falls into a drowse with a weekly magazine in his lap that opens the expose of the scandal conduct of a politician
国文を学びしと言へばひとは笑ふリベラリストに遠き男と
Learning my major subject being the Japanese literature, people presume and tell laughingly I must be on the opposite side of the liberalist
葉桜の小暗き道に入りてふと監視カメラの在り処を探る
Walking in the dark, new-leave cherry lane, find myself fishing the hidden surveillance cameras
幼子は模型電車で遊びをり踏み込み難き世界つくりて
The young child is playing with model trains creating its own world where nobody could gain entry
正面に見据ゑることのはばかられ見合の席に飲むレモンティー
Hesitating to stare at the full face of the woman introduced by a match-maker, keep sipping tea with lemon
見合より戻りし吾子は「疲れた」と一言残し己が部屋へと
Coming home from the blind date organized by a match-maker, my son goes promptly into his own room upstairs flinging off "I've got tired!"
走り去る児に「ストップ！」と声放つ井戸端会議の若き母親
A young mother at the hen party in a park gives a loud cry to her toddler being about to run away, "Stop!"
デゴイチの走る地響き感じつつ独身寮に寝ねしわが日々
In my old days at the company's bachelor apartment, the sound of the steam locomotive D51, thundering along, lulled me to sleep nightly
レントゲン写真の肺の白き辺を指差す医師が目を伏せ語る
The doctor talks vailing his eyes while pointing the whitened spot of my lungs on the X-ray picture
栄養剤の点滴となり夜の更けしロビーに妻のむすび食らひぬ
Refusing to be put on a drip with the nutritional supplement, have midnight aid at the hospital lounge, the rice ball slotted in by my wife
わが背より肋膜の膿抜く医師を医学生らがあまた取り巻く
Surrounded by many medical trainees, the doctor draws water from my lungs with a syringe on my back
身に覇気の満ちて職場に電話せり退院以後の出張予定を
Motivated on recovering from an illness, phone the secretary at work about the business trips after my discharge from hospital
退院せし午後は飢ゑゐしもののごとコーヒーを手に「田園」を聴く
In the afternoon having been discharged from hospital, listen hungeringly to Beethoven's Sixth grabbing some coffee at home
若きらはブラックジャックに興じをりエノラ・ゲイ発進の島へ来りて
The young visitors are playing blackjack day and night at the island from which the Enola Gay atom bomb mission was flown
キャプテンの母の名といふエノラ・ゲイ銀色の機体なほさらさるる
It's said Enola Gay was named after the captain's mother, while she still shows her silvery fuselage in public
買ひためし鉄道模型のひとつひとつをけふも拭ひて棚にならぶる
Making a collection of model trains for many years, now polish them one by one and replace them on the shelf in perfect arrangement on a daily basis
をさな子はぢぢの大事なものと知り模型電車に触れがたくをり
The toddler can't have a finger in the model trains knowing they are very important items for its granddad
ゆつくりと電圧を下げ定位置に模型列車を停めるわが技
With great skill, could give the model train a position stopping by reducing carefully the circuit voltage
横須賀線型電車を部屋に走らせて車窓ながるる鎌倉を想ふ
Driving a Yokosuka-type model train in my room, think about the scenery of Kamakura passing by the window
陸橋に自転車を止め時刻表通りに過ぐる列車眺むる
Stopping my bicycle on the railroad overpass, confirm the long-distance train coming past below exactly according to the time table
うかららに臥す者もなく過ごしをり鶏頭五本けふは咲きゐて
Today, five feather cockscombs are blooming in the garden while nobody is ill in bed among my family members at home
幼な子の背丈に屈みヤブランの花穂にかるく手を触れて見す
Bending down to the height of our toddler, show how lightly I'm touching the flowers of the big blue lilyturf in the garden
列島に不沈空母の名もありて終戦の日の高き白雲
There's a white cloud high up in the sky on the day World War II ended, while somebody has named the chain of islands as "unsinkable aircraft carrier"
医師もわれも回転椅子を軋ませて納得診療の問答に入る
Grating their pivot chairs,both the doctor and I start exchanging questions and answers in the manner that is called "informed consent"
顎の皮膚摘まみつまみて鬚を抜く覗くものなき夜半の書斎に
Enjoying the security in my own den in the small, keep pinching my chin to pluck the whiskers out
顎に手を添へしポーズで撮られゐる学生服の父の青春
Striking a pose, palping the chin, my father is in the photograph taken in school uniform showing his vernal years
リストラの議事二時間とはやなりぬみな腕組みをして寡黙なり
People have become quiet with their arms crossed as the agenda of restructuring already consumed two hours
腕組みをやをらほどきし男いまわづかに笑みて出向を告ぐ
Uncrossing slowly his arms on the chest, the grinning man starts to apprise me of the job transfer
脚を組み腕組みのまま夜半明かき電車に思ふ長きひと日を
Crossing my legs and with my arms across my chest on a bright late-night train, think of the long day today
初めての体験のごとおそるおそるわが両腕にいだくみどり児
Just hold the newborn in my arms timidly as if having the first taste of it
新生児に飽かぬうからの輪を離れ書斎に開くけふのパソコン
Leaving those folks never tired of surrounding the newborn downstairs, start today's PC work in my den
子ら倦みて去りたりしのち縁側に模型電車をひとり走らす
After those kids have left me tired of looking on, enjoy alone running the model trains on veranda
時かけて今朝の野菜を噛みてみる欠食児童なりし日のごと
Taking time, chew the vegetable served this morning, recalling those days for myself being one of poorly-fed children
口中に食べ物のあるしあはせに豆ひと粒を噛みつづけゐき
In perfect happiness having a bite in his mouth, the little boy didn't swallow it for a long time, just one piece of the soybean
純白の小麦粉配給にならびたり「鬼畜米英」など思ふものなく
Standing in line for the pure white flour released by Allied Occupation, people never think of the battle cry any more; America and Britain, the hellkite!
勇ましく男らしくと育まれ終戦の日に放たれしわれら
Having been nurtured to become a man brave and he-blooded, we were suddenly released simply on the day World War II ended
軍人になると胸張りゐしわれがけふ声高に反戦を言ふ
Talk loud about antiwar these days while, a long time ago, insisted with confidence to go for soldier
ひざまづき神の許しを乞ふひとのかたはらに吾ぽつねんとをり
Being miles away, lie by the woman's side who's praying on her knees for God's forgiveness
銀杏の実踏み砕かれて匂ひたつ夜半の団地の道帰り来ぬ
Come home through the late-night housing complex going along the stenchful road with fallen and crunched ginkgo nuts
茶碗蒸し半ば食らへば掘り当てしごと現るる蒼きギンナン
Eating halfway with relish the the pot-steamed hotchpotch, discover the green ginkgo nuts like hitting a bonanza
回路図をひきゐて過ぎし幾時か夜半の職場にひとり残りて
Keeping late hours alone in the office, wonder how long it's been needed to draw the design for a new machine
わが装置設計通りに動きゐて深夜作業の人笑みくるる
As the new machine designed by myself runs perfectly, a guy working through midnight hours gives a smile to me
プロジェクトひとつ成しとげて金曜日の夜の銭湯の湯に浸かりをり
Just completing an assigned task, bathe my body in the hot water of a public bathhouse on Friday evening
現業に遠き職場に移りきて事務服の似合ふ吾となりたり
Having got a transfer to the distant workplace here from the job site, this office wear becomes to suit me well today
夢になほ油まみれの作業衣にて工程を正すわれの出でくる
It still appears in my dream that, having a greasy jacket on, I'm adjusting a machine in the manufacturing line
商談を始めんとしてけさ見たる車窓の富士をまづは語りぬ
On launching a sales pitch, begin with a talk of the magnificent view of Mount Fuji taken from my train this morning
若きらの振舞ひに眉をひそめつつ思ふ徴兵制のありし昔を
Bending my brows against the adolescent horseplay, recall those days the country's draft system was running rampant
敵を持つ国の若きら口々にその軍隊の強きを言へり
Young people from those countries having some for an enemy start talking about how their own military forces are of good quality
異国なれば兵役につく齢なり駅頭に歌へりわが若きらは
In many other countries in the world, people of their age will be inducted into a military service while such youths are singing here in front of the station as street musicians
誇るほどの国と思へず生き来しに愛国教育を諾はむとす
While not feeling like having been proud to live in this country, inclined to agree to the introduction of patriotism in school education
リーダーの独善性を言はれつつ世は流れゆく勢ひを増す
Though the egomaniacal leader is worried about in public, the society has started moving onward at an accelerated pace
唐突に書類の誤記を思ひ出し夜明け待たるる床に覚めをり
Waiting for daybreak, couldn't sleep on a futon since it suddenly dawned on me there had been an error in my document
軽口のいつになく出で年終ふる職場のガラスわれら拭きゐつ
Unusually trading quips, we're cleaning the windows of our office that will end the year's service
浴室の天井のカビ指差して妻は棒束子をわれに握らす
Pointing her finger at the mildewed headlining of our bathroom, my wife lets me grip the stick of a brush
忘れたる平方根の開き方をあれこれ試す夜半の電車
On a midnight train, try in my mind how to extract the square root in one way and another
「ちなみに」を五歳の子らが使ひをりホモサピエンスは言葉操る
Being surely a Homo sapiens who uses a word in a proper sense, the five-year-old kid now talks to his friend starting with "incidentally"
抑揚を随所に散らしリストラの実施プランがかたられ始む
Raising the intonation at every turn, the big brother has started talking about his restructuring plan
「頑張ります」と頭を下げて部屋を出づ問答無用の人事と知りて
As it's known that the personnel changes ask no question, leave the boss's office saying "I'll do my best"
白菊のまばゆく咲ける庭園に職引くひとへの言葉まさぐる
In the garden white chrysanthemums bloom dazzlingly, look for a proper word to be given to my friend who retires shortly
ことば得しホモサピエンスの世に残るひとりは何を語りて逝くや
On breathing its last, what could be the final word given by the last one on earth of the Homo sapiens that came out with language a long time ago?
「僕らには年金なんぞ」と子は言ひてすこし車の速度を増しぬ
Spitting out a murmur, "No pension for us in future times," my young son has speeded up his car slightly
負け組にわが子よ入るなと願ひをり春なほ浅き縁に並びて
Wishing it in mind that he wouldn't join the group of losers, stand side by side with my son facing our garden in early spring
職引きしスイスの友は型のごと駅の茶房を日ごと訪ふらし
It looks my Swiss friend just retired starts visiting the cafe at the Hauptbahnhof every morning as many retirees do
きたぐにの顧客たづぬる出張をよろこびて乗る冬の夜汽車に
Get on a wintry owl train being delighted at a business trip paying a visit to clients in the northern district
上段の寝台に身を横たへて夜汽車に浅き眠り追ひをり
Lying down on the upper bunk of a sleeping carriage, enjoy having the restless sleep on an owl train
枕辺に冷気の入りて目覚めたり夜汽車は陸奥の朝をゆくらし
Have just awoken feeling a slight chill at the head of my bed, it looks the owl train already entered the morning landscape of the northern district
混み合へる夜汽車の朝の身支度に連なりて眺む雪のきたぐに
Look from the train window at the snowy landscape of the northern country standing in line for the morning toilet crowded with passengers
商談の半ば進みし安らぎに雪降りつづく窓に目をやる
Being relieved as the business meeting has gone on halfway without difficulty, look at the window where incessant snowfall is seen
二段ごと駅の階段駆け下りて電車に乗りし日々遠ざかる
Used to run down the stairs two at one time to the station platform to take the right morning train, my first youth rolled away
いつよりか五分前には駅につきしづかに電車を待つ身となりき
From what time? It became routine with me waiting peacefully for the right train minimum five minutes before its arrival at the station
疎まるることなくけふも老い猫は縁の日差しの只中にをり
Our old cat still has its place today on the sunshiny verandah without falling into disfavor in the house
みちのくのことば溢るるバスにゐて無言の吾のこころ安らぐ
Feel at peace in a bus where people are all talking in a broad northern dialect
子ら決めし町のホテルの婚礼に村付き合ひの農家寄り来る
Farming people in the village are gathering for the wedding at a hotel in the center of the city, the definite choice by the young couple
農業をやがては継がむ新郎はスポットライトの中にいま笑む
He will succeed eventually his father in the family farming, the bridegroom now smiles in the spotlight
昔なれば三日三晩の宴なりき披露宴にはや並ぶデザート
The wedding banquets in the village used to continue day and night, today, desert has been already served here
ふるさとの慶事を終へて暇あり疲れ癒さむと湯の町に入る
Having time on our hands after the happy event back home, move into a spa town to relieve our tired bodies
暮れなづむ荒川土手にはばからず茂吉の歌を高く諳んず
Standing on the Arakawa bank in the lingering evening glow, recite loudly the memory verses of the Mokichi anthology without hesitation
丈ながき貨物船ゆきてしばらくはテムズの岸に波の打ちつぐ
A quite long cargo boat has gone past and, for the time being, the waves roll in close to my feet by the side of the Thames
閘門に水みたされてつながりしラインの風に船旗はためく
The lockage has been filled with water and our boat is now at the upstream's level with its flag shaken with the wind of the Rhein
すぐ切れる教師もをりて戦中の教室のわれら従順なりき
While there were teachers often getting their monkey up, we were obedient and long-suffering students in the wartime classroom
赤貧の吾にしてなほ引揚者寮に住みゐる友を憐れみき
Though living myself in abject poverty, still had compassion for my friend shacking up with the postwar returnees in the shelters
世に出でて家計助くるを旨とする少年われの一途なりし日々
Making it a principle to become able to contribute to the family income, spend every day in school as if it were my last
ひもじかりし戦中戦後をわれ言へど若きらの心もはや動かず
The wartime and postwar stories about the feeling of hunger no more touch the hearts of the young people today
理解力日ごと増しくる四歳の孫にむかしを語り始むる
To the four-year-old grandchild rising up day by day, start talking about my past touching the wartime experiences
富士川の夜の流れを見据ゑをり出張帰りの車窓に寄りて
Sitting by the window of a returning train from my business trip, stare upstream into the darkness in the sky over the Fujigawa river
夕立に駅出でかねて手にしたる南フランスの旅行案内
Pick up the tourist information of southern France being blocked my way home at the station because of a shower
雨やみて小半時すぎクスノキの高き梢のしたたりを受く
Still hit by a water drop from a tall camphor tree, from one of its high treetops, half an hour after the rain stopped
波風を立つることには倦みしわれ妻の試着をじつと待ちをり
Being tired of making waves any longer, sit it out my wife keeps trying on for size
出勤の電車の暖房強き辺のシートを得たる福にまどろむ
Start dozing in the commuter train blessing my luck this morning getting a seat where the heating is working well
戻りたる寒さを言へる少女らの背に赤野黄のリュック愛らし
With a lovely knapsack, red or yellow, on their back, girls are talking about the chill just returned
いつよりか風は南にうつりゐて背筋伸ばしてわが歩みゆく
Almost before realizing the wind has changed to the south, started walking with my back straight
手袋を脱ぎてもの言ふ券売機に硬貨七枚つぎつぎ落とす
Pulling off my gloves, insert seven silver coins in the talking ticket-vending machine one after another
半身の朽ちし伽羅木わが庭の春ただなかの一隅を占む
The aloes-wood with its withering half still occupies a small part of my garden in the full of spring
雨の雫なほ宿しゐるあぢさゐの花にクマンバチうなり寄り来る
Buzzing carpenter bees are already nearing to the flower of hydrangea still wet with the rain while ago
藤の花三つ四つ垂るる窓下にけふはピアノの音を聞かざり
Being by below the window dangling a few clusters of the wisteria flowers, no piano is heard today
いつよりかシンビジウムの活けられし部屋に聴きをり「花野ワルツ」を
Since when has the cymbidium been put in the vase in my den? Now, I'm listening to Tchaikowsky's suite "Shchelkunchik"
裏山に白山吹の咲き出でて明かるき日差しに鵯の鳴きつぐ
As the white kerria blossoms in my back yard, the bulbul keeps warbling comfortably in a ray of sunlight
満開の桜の下を黒猫がしばらく吾と並びて歩む
Under the cherry trees in full bloom, a black cat walks beside me for the time being
いち早く葉桜となりし並木道その小暗さにこころ安らぐ
Going along the cherry lane where leaves have already come out, feel a sense of security in the shadowy atmosphere
満面に笑みを湛へて妻は言へり待望のランけさ開けるを
With a look of delight on her face, my wife says the orchid has bloomed this morning
窓越しのカエデ若葉の不規則な揺らぎに思ふ独り身の子を
Seeing through the window the young maple leaves swaying irregularly in the breeze, think of my unwed son
消え急ぐ言葉を娘らはケイタイに置きつつ探るけふの幸せ
Looking for a fragile affection, the young girls keep writing messages on the mobile screen that are hastily flying away
若きらの議論に交じり野放図なる言葉を投げしけふを悔やみぬ
Couldn't get the most out of the day, as I flung an unregulated message off at the meeting with young people
六十年いくさせざるを誇りゐるもいくさしたげなその語り口
Though he says he's proud of his country having not launched a war during the past sixty years, the lawmaker implies he sees his way to have one
若きらは老いに語れり戦争も辞さぬ普通の国とすべきを
The old is told by the young, now we need to be rational, make our country average that wouldn't shrink from a war
敗戦の責任者は誰六十年過ぎしになほも国は語らず
Who's responsible for the lost war? The country has never answered even though it's a sixty-year-old event
愛国とは武器とることかふるさとの山河恋ふるを軟弱と誹るや
Is it only a patriotic fervor to take up arms? Why people are defamed as jellybean if they keep loving the natural surroundings back home?
七百兆円余の借金もつ国に生れたるみどり児はけふ這ひ初めぬ
The baby has become a crawler just today, having been born in the country that has a 700 trillion yen debt or more
万葉の里に出で来しいらつめのみなケイタイを捧げ歩める
Maidens of today heading down to the old town, the legendary Mannyo's home, are all walking putting up a mobile phone
女性さへも太平洋戦争を是としゐてわが反戦の弁は届かず
As even a woman tries to justify Pacific War for Japan, my antiwar wordings couldn't be touched any longer among young people
しばらくは研修の日々ぞウィンザー城の真面の見ゆる宿を根城に
Check in at the hotel facing Windsor Castle, with it as my base during the next several weeks for a business course
ウィンザーの宿の初日は夜を通し経営学の資料読みつぐ
The first day at the hotel in Windsor, study those management course materials through the livelong night
蔦からむ校舎に入れば出迎へにならぶ講師らみな丈たかき
As entering the ivy-covered school building, welcomed by those lecturers standing in a row, guys were all high in stature
研修も峠越ゆれば一人ふたりウィンブルドンなどに抜けるもの出づ
As the course is halfway through, there come guys, one after another, dodging a lesson for the Wimbledon games or other events
ウィンザー城を夜の闇にのぞきゐる時に哨兵が問ふ日本人かと
On looking into Windsor Castle through the gate in the darkness of night, the sentry quickly nears and asks, "Are you Japanese?"
ゆるゆると夏至のテムズを船はゆくデッキに踊るわれらを乗せて
The pleasure boat goes slowly down the Thames of summer solstice carrying people on deck enjoying a dancing evening
意に添はぬ選挙速報のなりゆきにもう一杯の熱き茶をのむ
Have another cup of hot tea, watching the hour-by-hour unacceptable reports of the election returns on the television
ゆく夏の貴船の床に鱧はさむ箸にもひびく滝つ瀬の音
For delicacies at Kifune in late summer, pick up the meat of pike eel with chopsticks being resonated by sound of the waterfall
草いきれ立ちくる午後の山道をことば少なにのぼる群れあり
There's a batch of climbers quietly advancing into the oppressive heat and smell of deep grass on the afternoon mountain trail
登山路を外れて土の柔らかし風のしめりに咲くよ黒百合
Soil is soft beside the mountain trail, there are blooming black lilies in the humid wind
急峻ながれ場に入ればこの大き靴が一歩一歩足場たしかむ
Moving into the area of a steep stony slope of the mountain, my reliable big boots gain a firm foothold there step by step
山頂に近き広野に張られゐるあまたテントを包む夕霧
The dense evening fog starts to wrap a number of tents erected on the field very close to the summit
テント打つ雨つかの間のことと過ぎ星あらはるる夜半の山頂
It was short-lived sound of raindrops that had hit our tents, now we see the sky full of stars at the midnight summit
星空にかく深々といだかるる山上のわれ安き眠りに
Overwhelmed this way in the bosom of skyful of stars, drop off into restful sleep here at the summit
山上の夏のあしたの霧ふかく人みな熱きコーヒーを飲む
It's a foggy summer morning at the summit, climbers are all having a cup of hot coffee there
山頂のもはや隠れし下山路の沢に素足をひたし憩ひぬ
The summit has become no more visible on the downslope, take a rest dipping my bare feet in a small stream there
六十年いくさなき世にながらへていまし職引く身を労らむ
Having long lived for sixty years in the land with no war, now reward myself retiring for services at the office
パリ滞在四週間となる今宵とくに食ひたきものも浮かばず
It's four weeks now staying in Paris, and no special dishes invite me particularly this evening
一病をともなひ生きて七十年いつしか超えし父の行年
Seventy years now having survived a chronic illness, next thing I knew, I already passed my father's age at death
パソコンに父の遺稿を収めむとじっくり一首一首読みつぐ
Loading up my father's posthumous anthology in memory at the PC, carefully read these poems one after another
昭和詠みし父にいくさの歌を見ず相聞の歌さらになかりき
None of my father's poems that have Showa Era as their backdrop touches World War II, and nothing about love affairs either
文字数字いささか覚えしをさな児が吾の貧しき書架を見つむる
Becoming able to understand letters and numbers day by day, the small child is now staring my poor book shelf
あまた咲く庭の百合もてこの年の盆の供花を日々あらたむる
As many lilies bloom this year in our garden, we're renewing everyday the floral tribute at our family altar for Bon festival
歩みつつ遠き空見ること多しかかはり薄き世を生きをれば
Being apt to look up at the distant sky, take my daily walk as I've been long away from the active society
またひとつ老舗の消えし商店街をわれに咎あるごとく歩みぬ
Another old-line store has been closed in the shopping street, walk listlessly as if I were to blame
川ひとつ渡る日ごとの道にして橋の高みにけふも佇む
There's a river to go over on the way of my daily walk, stand for a while in the middle of the bridge for another view
夕暮れの芒が原を電車ゆくひときは明るき窓を連ねて
A train drives through the darkening field of Eulalia toward even0000ing, with the row of brightening windows on it above all
暮れ急ぐ一本道のわが家路照れる自販機を遠く見るみち
Hastily darkening straight road, my way home getting at the shining automat in the distance
パソコンをともに始めしに君のメール絶えゐてけふはその死を聞きぬ
These days had no e-mail from you, though we'd started together learning the PC literacy, and now I hear of your death
独り身を通しし友の逝きていまその兄夫婦にとぶらはれをり
Having remained single his entire life, he's now funeralized by his elder brother's family
同輩の吾の昇進を知りし日もしづかに煙草ふかしゐき君は
When he came to know I, one of his contemporaries, had got promoted, he was quietly blowing cloud at his desk
ふるさとを君は誇りき諏訪の湖ゆく船の上にわれと並びて
Standing side by side with me on the deck of a tour boat cruising the Lake Suwa, you were making a boast of your native place
ともに古希を迎へしにはや君は逝きぬ木犀の香のたち初むるけふ
While we'd arrived at the seventy-year-old milestone together, you hastily passed away today as the fragrant olive starts to smell
ひとの死に妻は言ひたり年金の元とるまでは吾に生きよと
Hearing of someone's death, my wife says to me, "You should live long enough to get your pension's worth"
取り落とすはがき一枚ひらひらと枯れゆく菊の方へ吹かるる
A postcard leaving my hand is flitting in the wind toward the withering chrysanthemum
朝食のわが好物はフランスパンそのパン屑を雀らが待つ
Have a good stomach for the French loaf of my breakfast, and sparrows wait for the bread crumbs every morning
ヒヨ去りて許されしごと雀らはいま庭先のパン屑を追ふ
As if they were allowed by the leaving bulbuls, sparrows start pecking at the scattered bread crumbs in the garden
喪中挨拶けふも届きぬしがらみの解かれゆくままわれは生きつぐ
Today, have another mail telling another death, and still around becoming less attached to a weir
届きたる喪中通知に記さるる行年百歳に妻とほほゑむ
Have a mail telling the family is in mourning, but it's a good surprise for us that the decedent was a centenarian
喪中通知手にするたびに文中の享年何歳にまづは目をやる
Become making it a habit first to check the age at death printed in the year-end postcard telling the family is in mourning
事務室の屑篭を蹴りし昔おもふ身に燃やすほどの怒りなきけふ
It's a long time ago having kicked the trash can in
my office occasionally, now no such an emotion rises to burn up my body
はぐれまいと久々に妻と腕をくみルミナリエへの人波に入る
Afraid of getting separated, link arms with my wife, after a long time, to join the crowd heading for the Kobe Luminarie
仰ぎ見る顔かがやかせ電飾の幾重のアーチを人らくぐり来
Casting their eyes up, beaming people go through, one after another, the number of illuminated arches in Kobe
電飾はぐるりと広場をかこみゐて鎮魂の鐘鳴りやまぬなり
The illuminated panels surround people at the park piazza and bells never stop ringing for the repose of souls of the Kobe Earthquake victims
ひと昔となりし震災ルミナリエに集ふ笑顔のあまた若きら
Many smiling innocent youngsters gather at the Kobe light festival, while the devastating quake is getting the thing of the past
戌年も明けて十日の朝餉どき「小犬のワルツ」を妻と聞きゐる
Ten days since the year of the Dog has started, have breakfast together with my wife hearing music, Chopin's 6th waltz
進行性癌と妻の病名告げられて只々吾はおろおろしゐる
Totally upset being told by the doctor that my wife has contracted progressive cancer, and have lost completely my cool
「手術すれば治るのですか」妻が問ふ「治る」と医師も吾も頷く
"Could I get over with surgery?" To the question of my wife, "Sure, you could," nod I and the doctor
住み馴れし家を見返り「帰ってきたい」妻が呟く入院する妻が
"I wish I could come back," murmurs my wife going into hospital, looking back once again on the house she's lived long
ひと月と妻退院の目処を言ふ医師は表情厳しきままに
The doctor tells us about his outlook for my wife's discharge as one month, without changing his hard look
新たなるナース来るたび妻は憂ふなほ独身の息子持てるを
Each time my wife meets a new nurse coming to take care of her, she talks about her anxiety having still an unmarried son
己が病状問ひただしゐる妻を見つめ優しき女医は口ごもりをり
Looking at the face of my wife asking severely about her own illness, the kindhearted doctorine fumbles with words
入院中の妻の洗濯物を干す春の日差しに皺のばしつつ
Hang out the wash, my wife's laundry from hospital, dry her clothes in the spring sun carefully uncrumpling them
手術時間の短きを憂ひゐるわれら執刀の医師の部屋に招かる
The family wonders why the surgery has ended so quickly, and now some are invited to the surgeon's room
点滴台押しゐる妻と語りつつ病院の廊下を往き戻りする
Talking with my wife who pushes carefully the drip pole carriage, shuttle back and forth along the hospital's corridor
退院する妻の痩躯につきて歩む重き荷物を両手に提げて
Walk at the heels of my wife, the lean figure just leaving hospital, letting me carry her heavy bags in both hands
病む妻の望むイチゴはいづくにや広き店内に立ち尽くすわれ
Freeze in my steps in a big shopping mall wondering where is the strawberry that my sick wife wishes to eat
入院中の妻に諭されけふのわが夕餉に野菜あまた加ふる
Admonished by my wife who's now in hospital, add a voluminous vegetable plate to my meal at home for this evening
吹き零れさせて舌打ちする吾にトースターのパンも煙たてゐる
Tut this morning, being chagrined at the milk bubbling over, furthermore, the toast is burning giving out smoke
苦心してわれの焚きたる大根をやまひの妻の舌に載せやる
Convey a slice of radish to my wife's mouth, the radish carefully boiled by me with soy and sugar for my wife in hospital
入院中の妻に代はりて火曜日のわれの日課に部屋部屋を掃く
Replacing my wife who's now in hospital, it's become one of my weekly routines to clean all rooms in my house on Tuesday
怒り出す癇癪持ちの父の声母の袂をつかみ聞きゐき
The angry shout of my dad, igniting a temper tantrum as usual, heard always with fear seizing my mom's sleeve
枯れきつて葉を失ひしゴムの木をけふ退院の妻が見つむる
My wife just came home from the hospital, now fixes her eyes on the withered gum tree having completely lost its leaves
入園式終へし制服のをさな来てやまひの妻にⅤサインする
Coming back from the entrance ceremony, the little child in the kindergarten uniform gives a V sign to its gramma being ill in bed
気晴らしにと病みゐる妻をスーパーに連れ出し林檎干し鰈買ふ
For a change of pace, took my sick wife out to a supermarket, and came home with apples and dried flukes
葉桜にのこる花びら一陣の風に敢へなく枝をはなるる
In a puff of air, the last flower now departs so quickly from the tree branch of cherry being already covered with green leaves
若きらが死刑廃止を論じをり車内には夏至の夕日照り映え
Young people are arguing about abolition of capital punishment in a car where the solstitial evening sun light streams
病む父と吾を残して若き母は兵器工場へと朝な急きゐき
Every morning, leaving her sick husband and their child at home, the young mother was in a hurry to go to work at the arms factory
町内の父親らみな兵となり臥しゐる父を恥ぢをりし吾
Daddies living in the same block have all started doing their national service, feel shame at mine still being sick at home
いくさ済むも母なほ工廠に勤めゐき米軍の兵器つくる身となりて
Although the war has ended, my mother still works at the armory, now to assemble weapons for the American forces
病身の父を支へし四十年笑顔絶やさぬ母にてありにき
For forty years, supporting always her invalid husband, my mother, pasting a smile, was the breadwinner of our family
喘息をわが病む日々に新鮮なる鮪の刺身を母は買ひ来し
When I was tortured with asthma for several days, my mother used to came home from work with fresh sliced raw tunny
父逝きてわれら家庭を持ちしより衰へいそぐ母となりたり
Sending her invalid husband to Tartarus, losing her children to their respective homes, my mother is now making haste to age
妻病めばつい俯きて歩むわれメロンは如何の声に振り向く
While, with my wife being ill in bed, can't help but walk always bending slightly forward, recover my senses by the voice of a melon vendor
俯きて道ゆく吾に伝道師が立ち塞がりぬ時間を呉れと
While walking bending slightly forward along the road, a missionary suddenly stands in my way and says he would need my time
いささかの癒ゆる兆しの妻に見ゆ紫陽花ことに美しきけふ
My wife shows a little sign of recovery from her illness, particularly today when the hydrangea blooms beautifully in our garden
チャイコフスキーでは四番がいいねとわれ言ふも妻は黙って薬呑みをり
Although I say, "No. 4 is the best among Tchaikovsky's symphonies, isn't it?", my wife is taking her tablets without making any comment
萎えきって薔薇の花束棄てらるるけふの厨の芥とともに
A bunch of roses having completely run dry is now disposed of together with the day's kitchen garbage
何事を語り合ひしや枕辺に僧坐りゐる父の臨終
What were they talking about? There's a Buddhist monk sitting beside my father who is in his dying bed
戦時下に生きをりしごと能弁に東条英機を語る若きら
As if they were living during the last wartime, the young members eloquently describe Hideki Tojo, the class-A war criminal
執拗に論を挑みて対ひくる若きらを前に深呼吸する
Draw a deep breath in face of those young members trying to take sides doggedly against me fueling controversy
賢しらに世を論ひゐる吾を年金貴族と若きらが言ふ
Young people always conclude I'm one of the well-off retirees, while, bragging about my knowledge, I voice an objection to politics
いささかのためらひもなく売言葉に買言葉言ふは吾の若さか
Without hesitation at all, return like for like at the meeting, does this mean I'm still young?
Ｗ杯サッカー映す画面にいま北朝鮮ミサイル発射と字幕流れぬ
On the screen where the World Cup soccer game is going, a telop runs saying that North Korea has just launched a missile
パンプキンスープを掬ふ銀の匙飢ゑゐしむかしなほ遠からず
Dip out the pumpkin soup with a silver spoon, it's still not so long time ago that people were all feeling hunger
本土防衛語らるる座に身をもっていくさを知るはひとり吾のみ
Among those talking about the home defense at the meeting, only one person who has learned first-hand a real war, that's me
食卓にアガパンサスの飾らるる妻の手捌きあざやかにして
My wife is doing the flowers with great finesse, and now, the African lily has its place on the dining table
手術後の化学療法に耐ふる妻わがととのへし素麺に笑む
My wife smiles at a dish of the fine noodle clumsily prepared by me while she suffers from hardship of chemotherapy after the surgery
抗がん剤休薬期間に入りていま妻は風きり自転車を漕ぐ
Having an intermission in her chemotherapy, my wife is now pedaling a bicycle in the wind
受診待つわが傍らに立ち話するナースらの脚はたくまし
Besides me sitting in a bench waiting for a checkup, there are seemingly powerful legs carrying nurses passing the time for chatting
友らなほ亭主関白をまもらむか吾には詮なき話題となるも
It seems guys are still wearing the pants in their families, which has now become an insignificant subject for me though
いささかのぬくもり運ぶ満月が病みゐる妻の顔かがやかす
The light of a full moon, carrying a little bit warmth, brightens the face of my sick wife
我慢強き妻にしていま疼痛に耐へられずわれに乞ふ救急車
While she used to have a long fuse, my wife couldn't now endure the pain and asks me to call an ambulance
やがてはと思ひをりしが妻つひに癌の痛みを感じ始むる
As everyone feared it to happen down the road, my wife has finally started feeling the cancer pain
疼痛にうめきゐる妻ふとわれにふるさとの姉に会ひたしと言ふ
Bearing up under the cancer pain, all of a sudden, my wife says to me she would like to meet her sister back home
仏壇に秋の花々そなへよと子に指図せり病室の妻が
In the hospital room, my wife is instructing our son to offer autumn flowers to the family altar at home
語るのも億劫となりし病む妻を見据ゑつつわれもただ黙しをり
Without a word, keep her face firmly in mind, as my sick wife becomes tired of talking
ごみの日が明日なれば庭の落葉掃く思ひ見ざりき男やもめは
Rake up fallen leaves in the garden as tomorrow is the day of garbage collection, this is the widower's lifestyle having never been thought of
死にちかき妻を離るる小半時理髪店の椅子にいつかまどろむ
For a while, leaving my wife being near to death in the hospital, start in no time dozing in the barber's chair
薄れゆく意識の下になほ妻はへそくりの在り処を笑みつつ語る
From time to time, becoming unconscious, my sick wife still smilingly talks to me about the hiding places of her cheeseparing
「ばあちゃん」と呼べど反応なき妻に倦みてをさなら病室を去る
"Gramma!" Despite the address of little kids, my wife gave no responses then they've become tired and now leave the hospital room
「ごめんね」とまづ言葉出づはや息の止まりし妻の手をとりて吾
"I'm so sorry," that was the first word given by myself holding the hand of my wife who had already breathed her last
先の妻をとぶらひしより四十一年むつみ来し伴侶を今また送る
It's forty one years since my former wife was funeralised, now again, the harmonious pair is broken as the second one is gone
生涯にふたたび妻の骨壷をいだく身となる火屋の夕暮
Toward evening at the gate of the crematory, it's myself who's holding his wife's funeral urn second time in his life
喪主としてことを進むるたかぶりに悲しささへもよそほへるごと
In a storm managing the funeral as the chief mourner, the expression of my grief looks as if it's a given performance
中陰の満つる日までの奥座敷妻の遺影を揺らす蝋燭
Her ashes stay in the backroom altar until the day they're placed in the family tomb, the candlelight keeps shaking my wife's portrait
黄落の道に入り来ぬ世にあまた生きゐる人と擦れ違ひつつ
Brushing against each other with many people still alive here and now, enter the road lined with ginkgo trees and carpeted with their fallen leaves
吾のごと妻を失ひし男きてとくに励ますこともなく去る
A man, who had lost his wife like myself, paid a call on me and left without any particular message jacking me up
ふるさとの君の生家の林檎よと遺影に近く振りて見せやる
Show the apple shaking it near to your facial portrait saying "That's it just sent from your birthplace this year."
みな小さき犬ともなひて住み古りし団地の道をゆく高齢者
The elderly are having a stroll along the walkway of the housing complex where they've lived for many years, all with a small dog at their heels
涙もろく朗らかなりし妻逝きて韓国ドラマをひとりわが見る
Watch a Korean teledrama alone while my wife, being easily moved to tears and also cheerful, is no more beside me
目覚むれど妻の居ぬ部屋あさあさを蹌踉としてわれ歩み出づ
Totteringly come out of the bedroom, as every morning awaking there to have a gut feeling that my wife has already gone
少しづつ独りを生くるたつきにも馴染みてけふはコンビニに入る
As gradually getting used to a widower's lifestyle, today, drop in at the convenience store for a box lunch
みづからも妻を癌にて死なせしと言ふ保険屋に親しみ覚ゆ
Have a friendly feeling for the insurance solicitor in the doorway who says he himself had also to see his wife dying of cancer
「千の風になって」のＣＤ聞きてよりいささか心とき放たるる
After listening to the CD music "Thousand Winds", my heart has suddenly started to break loose
縁先にふふめる椿われけふも規則正しく生きむと思ふ
The camellia is putting out buds in the garden, think, today too, I'll live a life keeping my regular hours
癌と知りふさぎゐる妻支へむとインターネットに希望を探る
Look for some good news on the Internet to encourage my wife being depressed knowing she's got cancer
病む妻の最後の四季のうつろひに癒ゆる兆しを見しこともあり
During the last four seasons passing for my sick wife, she once showed some signs that she'd been recovering
奇跡なぞ起きることなく医師の言ひし余命を妻は燃やしきりたり
Angels couldn't dance on pinheads, my wife burned out her life that had been numbered by the doctor
おとづれし男やもめのたつきいま鯖の煮付けを無造作に買ふ
Here's now my widower's lifestyle starting, buy the cooked mackerel without much attention in a supermarket
職引きてよりの十年しづかなる朝餉を妻ととる幸ありき
Have enjoyed taking peaceful breakfast together with my wife for ten years since my retirement
病みをりし妻が勧めし野菜多き食事を独りとなりて食みゐる
Being now a widower, I'm eating as much vegetables as possible since this was recommended repeatedly by my sick wife
ゆるゆると済ましし朝餉の始末終へ独りのひと日をけふも始むる
Taking enough time for my breakfast and doing the dishes, will start the widower's daily routine for today
妻の分までも生きよと植木屋が松の手入れの高みより言ふ
"Live the remaining live of your deceased wife," says the tree doctor working on a height to pollard the tall pine
独り身となりて甲斐なき庭に立てば建仁寺垣も朽ちすすみゐる
As my wife left me alone, stand purposelessly in our garden and see the bamboo fence starting to fall into decay
独り身のわが暮らしにもリズムあり落葉を掃かむ明日はごみの日
A widower has still the daily routine, will rake up fallen leaves in the garden as tomorrow is the garbage collection day
夕されば三合の米をわれは研ぐ妻の手捌きなほ偲びつつ
Along toward evening, I wash 2kg of rice, still recollecting the master touch of my deceased wife
妻逝けば詮なき身なりこの春の花を見むとて人ら騒げど
Having nothing meaningful to live without my wife, just overhear people are talking about where to go on a cherry viewing picnic
あひともに訪ふべき桜の花あまたのこして妻はひとり逝きたり
Still leaving many popular spots where we'd planned to enjoy together looking at cherry flowers, my wife was taken alone from me
草餅をひとつづつ手に妻と並ぶ花の下なるひとときありき
My wife and I, each carrying a seasonal rice cake, shared the time together under the full-blown cherry trees
退院の妻車窓より花を見き身に来春のなきを言ひつつ
On the way home leaving hospital, my wife was looking at cherry flowers from the car window, murmuring about the next spring not anymore for herself
わが右の眼の曇れるにふと気づく妻逝きしより三月目のけふ
Today, it's exactly three months since my wife passed away, first thing I know is that the vision in my right eye has become poor
眼球を切り裂くと言ふおぞましき手術を医師はさらりと語りき
The doctor explains matter-of-factly about the horrifying op, making an incision in one of my eyeballs
妻逝きて六月目のけふ身をかたくして白内障の手術受けゐる
Today, exactly six months after my wife's death, I'm dead set on the surgical table to remove a cataract
眼球に今し入り来るアクリルのレンズにわれはこぶしを握る
Now, as an acrylic lens is being inserted into one of my eyeballs, clench my fists on the surgical table
わが手術すでに半ばは過ぐるらし次を呼べとの医師の声する
As the surgeon is asking nurses to call the next patient, it looks my operation is already halfway through
手術室よりわれを迎ふる妻はなし笑顔そろへて孫子ならべど
There's no more my wife waiting for me released from the surgery, although my boys and grandbabies stand together, all smiling
清掃の月当番となりしよりごみ回収車を待つ身となりぬ
Now on the turns of a duty cleaner in the community, becoming the man who's waiting for the garbage truck twice a week
移り気の多き子にしてテーブルに団子虫のせ飽かず見つむる
The fickle little child puts a centipede on the table and is never tired of watching it
世に交らば人の顔色読むべきにケータイにのみ目を落としゐる
You'll read the face of others to mingle in the society, you shouldn't keep an eye on the screen of a mobile
大方の国民の持つケータイに徴兵令の届く日ありや
Since almost all people have a mobile in this land, they'll eventually get their call-up on the screen
電話なんぞ家になかりき合格の証書たづさへ身は小走りに
Had no telephone installed at home in those days, was in a hurry meeting my family carrying the letter of acceptance with me
ふるさとに電話のつきしその秋の父の危篤を言ふ母の声
In autumn that year, my home could get a phone line, heard over it the mother's voice telling my father was taking a critical turn
わが家のダイヤル式の黒でんわ鳴れば昭和の音と囃さる
An old, black rotary phone still works in my house and draws visitors' cheer for the Showa sound whenever it starts ringing
勤めゐし軍需工場に年金制度ありしを知らず母逝きて久し
Already, it's a long time ago my mother passed away without knowing she could receive pension benefits as she'd worked in an armory in wartime
あらかたの家には老いも交じり住み朝顔咲かせ水を打ちゐき
In those days, almost all houses had some elderly family members, and in summer, they grew the morning glory and sprinkled with water
夕されば兵器廠より戻り来る母を門辺に吾は待ちゐき
Every day along toward evening, the little boy was waiting at the gateway for its mamma getting home from work at the armory
病む父とをさなわれらを守りくれし母の老後のかくもさびしき
Although my mother had been taking enough care of her sick husband and little kids, she was not always happy in the evening of her life
新聞の占ひ欄に亡き母の分まで読みゐし妻も逝きたり
My wife used to enjoy the fortunetelling in the newspaper, where she even tested my dead mother's, and now, my wife herself has gone
ヒロシマと書く一本の鉛筆が人類のこと言ひ尽くしをり
A pencil, when it writes the letter string of HIROSHIMA, talks enough about what's humankind
生きるのが面倒臭いと言ひをりき新盆の妻に選ぶ提灯
Choose a mint lantern for my deceased wife for her first Bon Festival, who'd often murmured "It's a pain of living!"
ことごとく妻につき来しわれにして妻の供養を仕切る身となる
Though having acted up to my wife's instructions all along the line, it's myself now to initiate periodical memorial services for her
ばばを欠く家としなりきをさならは来るや帰るとママに言ひゐる
On visiting my house, where their gramma has already departed, the little children say to their mom "Let's leave here!"
庭草に沈みゐるわれ背後には草引く妻の息遣ひあり
Sinking in the grass in our garden, still hear my wife breathe hard weeding behind my back
妻あらば話題つきまじ台風も地震もありしこの週末は
This weekend, typhoon and earthquake hit us, I'd have things to talk about with my wife, if she were still alive
五〇〇系に乗ると言ひ張るをさなゐてホームに待てり我ら一族
As our little kid insists on getting on a Type 500 bullet train, all our family members wait for it coming into the station
飼主も犬もいささか太りゐて晩鐘ひびく街道を行く
The dog and its master are both a bit fat, the evening bells are ringing while they go along the street
新盆の蓮台飾る花々を花舗のむすめに頼りつつ選る
To decorate the altar of the first Bon festival for my deceased wife, select flowers relying on a shopgirl
新盆の精霊棚をととのへぬ過ぎし年々亡き妻のせし
Set up the family altar of the first Bon festival for my deceased wife, while she used to do it for many years in the past
新盆の精霊棚にならびたる妻の好物とわれの好物
There are presented sacrifices at the altar of the first Bon festival for my deceased wife, one for which she had a good stomach, another I have my own
新盆に寄り来しうから妻の名のもはや出でざる話題のつづく
My kith and kin, getting together at the altar of the first Bon festival for my deceased wife, refer no more to her name in their topics
新盆の後片付けを終へしわれ西日に向かひ散歩へと出づ
Clearing up the altar of the first Bon festival for my deceased wife, head for a walk as usual bathing in the afternoon sun
秋風を身にとほしつつ草ひけり皮肉屋たりし面影も失せ
The man is weeding his garden being impregnated with autumn breeze, showing no signs of a cynic he used to be called
灯ともるも人声のなき独り居の家を囲みてちちろ鳴きをり
While lights are switched on, there's no sound of voices in the widower's house surrounded by singing insects
雨脚を確かむるごと手のひらに降りそそぐ月のひかり受けゐる
Expose my palm in a flood of moonlight, as if it were confirming raindrops in the fine rain
せまりくる妻の一周忌を仕切らむと次々にわが電話かけゐる
As the first anniversary of my wife's death nears, call one after another on the phone to prepare for the ceremony all by myself
遠き地に菩提寺を持つわれにしてたまさかに乗る新型特急
Having our family temple back of beyond, could get a chance to take the most modern express train
ひと仕事終へしおももち喪の服のうからそれぞれ別れ告げ合ふ
Feeling a certain sense of accomplishment, people of the affinity group dressed in mourning are bidding each other farewell
ひと夏がやうやく過ぎぬ灯のもとに食器を洗ふ水のつめたし
The summer has passed at last, clean plates and utensils by autumnal lamplight in dishwater that gets cold now
吹き抜ける凩一号ベランダのカポックの木を部屋に迎ふる
As the first winter storm blows, the kapok tree is invited into my room from the verandah
幾たびも社名変りき記念樹の白き山茶花なほ残されて
While the firm name has changed many times, the memorial tree, white Camelia sasanqua, is still left there
二人なる旅のたかぶり妻は窓のあれこれにわが肩を小突きき
Excited in our twosome travel, my wife shook me by the shoulders each time she saw something from the train window
亡き妻と吾より生れし一族を伴ひて雨の菩提寺に入る
Now visit the family temple in the rain, bringing all the clan along, all created by two of us, the deceased wife and myself
法要ののちの円居にみちのくの豊作を言ふ妻のはらから
During dinner get-together after the memorial service, the brother of my deceased wife talks about the year's rich harvest at home
この庭のコスモスの消ゆ我武者羅に夏草ひきしわが咎にして
It's my fault really to have weeded our garden completely last summer, there's no cosmos flowers blooming this fall
ベランダの男やもめが秋空に洗濯物を高く干しゐる
A widower works on veranda, he's hanging out washing high up in the autumnal sky
窓外に半身のりだしガラス拭く七十二歳を煽る木枯し
With his body thrust outward, the seventy two-year-old boy cleaning the window is hit by a gust of cold wind
蒲団カバー破れしままに迎へをりやもめとなりて二度目の春を
With the torn cover of my futon, still unrepaired, the second spring has now come to me as a widower
バースデーことほぎくるる妻逝きて蜜柑ひとつを弄びをり
It's birthday, my wife, who used to congratulate me on it, has passed away, fiddle alone with an orange on my lap
独り居の小春の縁にうつつなし父の行年を五年超えゐて
Have no sense of reality at the verandah on a warm autumn day, exceeding already my father's age at death by five years
七年の平均余命と聞きゐてもけふの夕餉をまづはととのふ
Start fixing a meal for the evening as usual while statistics tells seven years left for my life
素粒子論ゼミの仲間でありし君逝きたり古希を迎へてはやも
A classmate, in a seminar on theory of elementary particles, has just passed away after celebrating his seventieth birthday
末枯れの野を歩みゐて独り身の子の開運をまた夢想する
Walking in the withered field, once again, wish my son good luck as he still stays a bachelor
たやすくも駆られてデモの中に叫び疲れ知らざりき苦学生われ
Easily egged on to shout in a demonstration, still the inexhaustible self-supporting student, it was myself
デモよりも授業えらびし数名のわれらに教授の蔑みし笑み
Displaying contempt, the professor gives a smile to those several students who preferred the class to a demonstration
いつときの学生デモに心燃えしわれが労組にたかぶり対ふ
Although once absorbed in joining student demonstrations, now heatedly cross swords with the company's union leaders
獄中より歌集二冊を世におくり死刑待ちしか三十五年
During thirty five years waiting for execution in jail, he's come out with two copies of his anthology
わが職を全うしたる三十五年彼は獄に歌を詠み死刑待ちゐき
While my thirty-five-year business life was running, he'd been writing poetry in jail waiting for execution
妻のあとひとり死を待つわが日々は死を待つ囚徒の孤独に近し
Wait alone for death to come after my wife, that reminds me of the loneliness of a prison bird waiting for execution
わが身より風邪の抜けゆく心地して銀杏落葉の輝くを踏む
Feel gradually ridding the body of my cold, and linger on the shining leaves fallen from ginkgo trees
千切れ雲ひとつかかりて縁先の世間話にきまりつきたり
The sun goes behind a scattered cloud and looks pushing us to stop shooting the breeze in the corner of the garden
知る者の次々消ゆる年頃に吾も入りたり先づ妻の亡き
Arriving at the age bracket people tend to lose their acquaintances one after another, have lost my wife at first
世にありて世になきごとし生き甲斐と言はばはかなきこの短詩型
Being alive, but nearly not alive in the society, now all about my immature creation, this short form of poetry
独り居のリズムきまりて昼の時報聞くや茶漬けをととのへ始む
As the daily rhythm of widowerhood has settled, on hearing the time tone, start preparing boiled rice with tea, my noon meal
余生とも惰性とも言ひつつがなき日々を過ごして春がまた来る
Spring has come back while going about my day business safe and sound, say, the rest of my life, or life in a rut
若きらと政治を語る夕べなり身の端々に血潮のたぎる
It's nice to talk about politics with young people in the evening, having good circulation throughout my body
天を突く大聖堂の石垣に沿ひて川舟はラインを下る
A long cargo boat goes down the Rhein along the stone wall of a cloud-capped cathedral
降る雪の筋あきらけしいま着きし褐色の電車静止したれば
As an arriving train comes to a complete stop, the snow outstands with its falling lines against the dark brown carbody
しづかなる雪つむ道の家路なり十一年目かわがゴム靴は
It's my homeward walk along the quiet snow road, for my snow boots, after an absence of eleven years
積もりたる雪も滴る音となり故郷に覚むる心地さながら
The snow on the roof turns out the pattering sound of drops, and awake as if being in my old lovely room back home
雪道をすたすた歩む妻なりきみちのく育ちをまづは誇りて
My deceased wife could walk briskly on a snow road and, each time, prided herself being born in the northland
雪道に身をかたくして歩むわれ三間さきの妻の幻
Stooping to walk on the snow-covered road, see a vision of my deceased wife five meters ahead
時計のみ生きて病院より戻りそれから三年とき刻みつぐ
The table clock came hone alone from the hospital and keeps ticking three years since then
職引きし男らの立つ交差点「緑のおばさん」もはや世に見ず
Only retired men look after children these days at school crossings, the lollipop women are not seen in the street any longer
食パンにとろけるチーズ挟み焼き男やもめがけふを始むる
Preparing two pieces of toast sandwiching sliced cheese, the widower starts the day with no special task
円高も株安もただ聞き流しかかはり薄き世にながらふる
Just letting it pass, yen appreciation or stock price crash, live rest of life independently of the active society
起き抜けの痩躯に力もどり来て雨戸を繰れば春の雨降る
Slowly regaining strength in my slim figure, still wakening, open the shutters and see spring rain falling
いまだ世に乞はるる夢の捨てきれず呂尚にかよふ日々の川釣
Still have a dream to be recruited in the active society, go to fish in the river every day following the old episode of Ryosho
仏壇の妻に卒園を告げくるるをさなの頬に燭のゆらめく
With the face reflecting the flare of candle, the little boy reports of his finishing kindergarten to my wife in the altar
先立ちしゆかりそれぞれ偲びつつ電車に立てり春分の日を
Bringing associated goners to mind one after another, stand on a train traveling Vernal Equinox Day
夢になほ英語を言へり外資系に三十年余吾は勤めし
The English-speaking man still appears in a dream, that's myself having worked at a foreign affiliate for more than thirty years
名も知らぬ野菜果物ならべられ異国の朝の市ぞはなやぐ
Carrying unfamiliar vegies and fruits, the morning market on foreign soil looks lively
木々茂るライン河畔の公園に深く入り来て石に坐りぬ
Entering deep into the clump of trees in a park by the Rhein, perch alone on a rock
滞在も三月越すいま新しき友と連れ立つ初夏のアルザス
Staying now for three month on foreign soil, go on a drive to Alsace-Lorraine in early summer choosing my local company
かかる地をいづれは共にたづねむと思ひをりしにはや妻は逝く
Although wished to visit again these lovely spots someday with my wife, she's meantime hastened to end her life
山ふかくなほ人の住むかランドセル負へるをさなの駆け下り来る
Still some people seem to live here deep in the mountains, a boy's running down the hill carrying a bookbag on his back
分校へ下るをさなは山みづの音に沿ひつつ走りゆきたり
Heading away for a branch school, the little boy is dashing down the slope along the sound of a mountain stream
「東」とふ屋号を持てる妻の生家集落一の朝日浴びをり
Called as "EAST", the country home, the birthplace of my wife, now gets the better-most morning sunshine in the village
山ふかく一里あゆめば新たなる集落の見え牛の声する
Following deep a mountain path for another couple of miles, come in sight of another village and hear cows bellowing
大地震あらば四万の死の予測ありて浪速にわがながらふる
On a big quake, it's predicted, there'll be forty-thousand death toll in Osaka that, I've lived long out there
草引きし指先になほ十薬の香のみ残れり夕餉したたむ
Weeding my garden this morning, have supper with my smelly fingertips still carrying the fragrance of Doku-dami
縁先の紫陽花にしとど雨の降り無差別殺人のニュース流るる
Near the verandah, the hydrangea gets soaked by the rain, while the case of random killing comes from a radio
ラジオ少年たりしわが身に親しかる秋葉原いまかく血塗られし街
Being an audio nut, loved Akihabara, as a friendly town, however, it's now become a red-wat spot
吾もまた「オタク」なりしか秋葉原に米軍放出のパーツ求めゐき
A geekhead, me too in those days, often visiting Akihabara to get some radio parts released by the occupation army
組み立てしラジオよりショパン流れ出で貧家に待ちし文化の香り
Now, Chopin comes from the radio just assembled by myself, giving a cultured atmosphere to the poor family
秋葉原つねに先駆の影を見せ折々にわが足の向く町
Akihabara, a spot always showing something modern, lets my legs do the leading from time to time
クラシックに親しみ初めしも手作りのこのラジオなりなほ捨て難し
This old handmade radio initiated my taste for classical music, and still hard to be thrown away
リビングのソファーにバッハ聴くわれよかの棟割に夢見し姿
Listening to a Bach piece sitting on a sofa in the living room, a sight dreamt of in the tenement house
ひつそりと家族のみにて送らるる弔事ありしを回覧の告ぐ
The neighborhood bulletin reports there has been a lonely funeral held only by the family members
たまゆらのためらひ見せし妻も子も浜の水着の群れに交じりき
However hesitated for a while, my wife and kids are already mixed with those in swimsuit on the beach
大波に潮浴びの身の倒されてみなぞこに聞く浜のにぎはひ
A sudden big wave hit me bathing in the sea, brought me down into the bottom and let me hear the sound of lively beach
浜に伏すわがかたはらを脅かすビーチバレーの若きらの脚
Right beside me stretching out on the beach, the young, active and beefish legs playing beach volleyball often threaten me
引く波に足裏の砂のこそばゆく崩れゆくなりけふ原爆忌
A backwash takes away the sand in the sea, making the bottoms of my feet feel ticklish: It's A-bomb memorial today
「海行かば」唄ひ散りしは疎開児のわれら目指しし若き戦士ら
"Pushing out to sea," those young soldiers sang the army song to die, being aimed at by us little evacuees back home
本土決戦を主張せしとふ東条英機なほ靖国に慕ふ群れあり
There's a group of people at Yasukuni Shrine memorializing Hideki Tojo, the one said to have insisted a homeland battle to the finish
いくさなほ続かばわれら疎開児もゲリラ兵とされ山野に果てしや
If the war didn't end, we, the little evacuees, would have eventually died somewhere over hill and dale as bushwhackers
敗戦を民の気魂の無しと断ずいくさ始めし者のいひざま
The man is said to have concluded the reason of the lost battle as peoples' having little guts; how he who started the war could say it
十に満たぬをさなきわれら救国の兵となるべく日々諭されき
We subteen evacuees were trained and brainwashed day after day to become a soldier to save the country
戦後生まれ世に憚りてかにかくに厭戦を言ふわれの疎まる
Most seen in the society are of the postwar generation and they often ignore me, a wartime survivor, repeatedly crying against war
組む膝に重ねたる手のマニキュアを吊り革の目がときに見下ろす
Eyes hanging on to a strap occasionally look down at the manicured fingertips of the lady's hands set on her crossed legs
活力とふ花言葉もつすすき照る政権の投げ出し二年つづく世
Eulalia said to have its language of flower as ENERGY shines in the sun, while another admin throw-out takes place in this country
一両の気動車は影をすすき野に遠く延べつつゆるゆる走る
A single diesel engine vehicle runs at a crawl with its shadow stretching way back over the zebra-grass field
月ゆゑに靴音のみな高くしてリズムたしかに門辺すぎゆく
Tonight, hear people's footsteps passing my house, they are clear and clip-clop in the radiance of a full moon
万葉の世にも照りゐしかの月のひかり浴びつつ独りなりけり
While the same moon must have shone in the era of Manyo, tonight, I'm fully immersed alone in that moonlight
ひとり聞く台風情報妻のなき厨に鳴くはひとつこほろぎ
Listening alone to a typhoon warning on the radio, next thing I know, the voice of a cricket in the kitchen where my wife has left
一つひとつ事を成しきてこの年もかへるでのはや裸木となる
Getting things done one after another, this year again, see the maple tree in the garden turning out a deadwood