Mado Kara Mieru

A traditional Kenku song, about the passing of seasons and the transience of life.

Through the window I see
on the plum tree
one blossom, one blossom worth
of warmth

Through the window I see
a view of greenery
a wild cuckoo
the first bonito

Through the window I see
the autumn wind
resounds in the mountain—
temple bell

how much longer
is my life?
[A brief night…]

Through the window I see
all I can think of
is being sick in bed
and snowbound….

Through the window I see
this lone iris
white
in spring twilight