We present this work in honor of the poet’s 130th birthday.

 

Nanai as you leave – with the winds – I ride
in the eye of silence and everything goes
and there are many ships, many seas – big
clouds above – the people and May.

And inside me roaring – all trembling –
a heavy steamer and
then again you and May and the winds
and then again the people, the people.

And all that leaves – and does not stay –
in a city uninhabited, and in me
ungoverned, may the ship take you
out of the storm of this world.