In Praise Of The Walnut Poem by Tatsuji Miyoshi

For the inaugural issue of the poetry quarterly Kurumi (Walnut)
Its shell is tough, yet
As I roll it in my finger tips I hear a voice
The voice is faint, and seems to laugh
How fascinating the walnut is
It holds richness within
So does good poetry
A squirrel knows this well
He puts two hands together and worships
He prays and eats
When he finishes eating - a flash

He's lightning - he is gone

Translation: 2010, Takako Lento