TheBladeofGrassinaDreamlessField

byTakashi"Thomas"Tanemori
Onlyafewknewitexisted;
Nooneknewitspower;
Theworldwouldneverbethesameagain,
Changingirrevocablyandforever.
ThesixhundredyearhistoryofHiroshima
Disappearedintheashes,
OnthisJudgmentDay,onthisMorning!
(i)
Blamelesssoulsforevervanish
onthismorning,thisjudgmentday.
Oursilentcries,toheavenweappeal,
scatteredliketheashofwitheredleaves.
Ourebbingsouls
clingtothatlonelysky;
wetryinvaintoescapethisseaofflame.
Oh,Hiroshima,oncemyhaven,
whyhasyourlifebeensacrificed?
(ii)
Theaboundingsadnesswithinmyheart...
drowningmylonelinessintearsofselfpity.
Fourabandonedchildren;
wishingtofeelourmother'slove,
justoncemore;
ifonlyinourdreams.
Theheatofyetanotherlongnightlingers.
Oh,Hiroshima,oncemyhome,
mytearsrundrywaitingforthebreakingdawn.
(iii)
Mysoulistornthisrageinside,
anorphanofwar;
whydoesthismakemefeelguilty?

Whydomyneighborsturnaway
or,closetheirearswhenIspeak?
Bitternesspoisonsthisinnocentchild,
Imadlywasteaway.
Oh,Hiroshima,oncemycradle,
Iamwaitingtodie.
(iv)
Gatheringremnantsofmycourage,
IstandaloneinthisnotoriousAmerica,landoftheenemy.
Anoutcastwithslantedeyes,
Ifallbeforetheindifferenceofstrangers;
sightlessly,theytrampleuponmydignity.
Thislifeofanguishseemstobemydestiny.
Prayingfordeath,Ienduretime.
Oh,Hiroshima,oncemycomfort,
Iamlostindreamsofrevenge.
(v)
Buddingleavesrenewthistiredplace,thistiredsoul;
gentlytherainisembracedyourlove,
comfortingthissavagedheart.
Abladeofgrassemergesfromtheashes,
andmyheartbecomesalight,
connectingmetoheaven.
Livingforoneanother,thisismypath!
OhHiroshima,forevermylove,
maymylifebecomeabridgefromyouandothers.
(vi)
Atthedawnofthe21stcentury,
wehonorthispassagethroughdarkness.
Wemusthavethecouragetoenter
thevoidagain...andagain,
emergingwiththegiftofnewlife.
Healingonlycomesthroughlearningtoforgive
andmakingpeacewithourpast.

Onlythen,willthewindwhisper:
"Hibakusha,youhavenotlivedinvain!"