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Kenji Fukuma

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I Won't Be Sad

“A long time ago
all over the world there were mysteries
man could not explain
nor understand.”
As if to make the first gesture
was solely to move on to the next scene.
Now I will know,
with my own eyes, hold in my hands
the true nature of your picture, sea-bird.

“It’s hard
though breaks if hit hard
though won’t cry however hit.”
This can only be confirmed with eyes and hands
here in this room where even mirrors, numbers
and clothes taken of f, shed like used skin
are refusing to grieve
while I enter the still
hour of wood and stone.

In this town
where your picture ran
there is no holy thing, no mystery -
only friends oddly active with news of war
returning to their own
fairytale worlds
“having a husband and wife row
or to sit on a cold floor”
fingering dirty salt.

“That bright place
around man
cannot have a chance to spread.”
I will do a great dance
with the fairies of a new world
next to the death
in your picture.
And then
outside the dream, every sound will stop.

 

Translated by Kenji Fukumaand James Bell

Page(s) 69

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