Jūkichi Yagi Poems

**
Unaccountably lonely in autumn.

***
I'd like to see God in my dreams.

***
On some days looking at the autumn sky I feel peace of mind.

***
If I don't kill myself it is because I believe in Christ.


A DOVE

A dove's voice at the window . . .
I hear it most joyfully when my temperature is low.


SOLILOQUY IN BED

***
They flow naturally.
What should I do with these tears?

***
I'd like to spread zealously the name of Jesus Christ
who was crucified to save us.

***
I'd like to recover soon
and spread the names of God and Jesus.

***
There are nights when I fall asleep
to the sound of the waves meshing with my thoughts.
There are times when I can't sleep at all.

***
Tomiko,
I don't mean that.
I mean that if I must die anyway
then please let me die with a beautiful heart.

***
Tomiko,
when we knew happiness together,
those times when I was to blame for things,
I can now see very clearly.

***
Seen through the window, the sky and flowing clouds—
I turn away from their excessive seriousness.

***
Tomiko,
I can't stand being in bed alone.

***
O Heavenly Father,
please save this feeble body and soul
and let me work on behalf of the light of God and Christ.

***
Oh,
what can I do?

***
Days of Purgatory.
Days of Purgatory.

***
Tomiko,
when not calling God's name
I'm calling yours.

***
Clouds float by in the sky
and
are looking at me abed.

***
I will be together with the heart of God.

***
Momoko and Yooji,
it's painful that I can't see you.
I'm happiest at having been your father
and not anyone else's.

***
Ah, how wonderful the sound of those waves.
I'd love to go to the beach.

***
Tomiko,
I am ill
and thinking of you as my mother.
...

In early winter,
I look down from a roof top garden.
The town of Kobe gives me
a look that is strangely off-putting
yet reminiscent of a streak of undeniable longing.
Only towards the mountain,
is it bright and clear as a fine autumn day.
Is it maybe because I'm looking down from a height?
What a pitiful sight it is with endless smoke rising gracelessly.
The town is evenly
coloured in dull steel blue
and appears disorderly.
I am pierced by an orderly streak of sorrow.
...

冬のはじめ
屋上庭園のうへからみる
神戸の街の
妙によそよそしい
そのくせ　ひとすぢのたちがたいあくがれのにじむだ顔、
山のほうだけは
秋ばれのようにすみきってあかるい、
たかいところからみるゆえだらうか
まやまやとたちのぼるむすうのけむりのいたましさ、
いちように
くすんだはがねいろの街のいろどり、
ざつ然としたそのすがたは
整然としたひとすぢのかなしみとなってつんざいてくる
...

It's a bright sunny day.
Look out the window!
The gardener is working all day up in the trees.

It's a hot day.
Who is it in my heart,
though I haven't asked him,
pruning all day long?
...

Inside the lead
a butterfly goes flying.
...

I want to be an angel.
I want to be a flower.
...

Isn't there any power
that can consolidate this sorrow?
...

want to love a jar.
Today—oh!
O jar, that arises in the calmness of my heart!

You have nothing in you.
Your emptiness!

O jar, my heart
strangely trembles
calling you, "My jar
...

O heart,
I'll see you later.

But
please come back again.

After all
You're better off here.

O heart,
I'll see you later.
...

Gazing at this stove
I'm moved to smash it to pieces.

This crackling stove!
How monstrous!
...