when imperial court asked me
raised both hands
did not want to die a coward
our commander
closed eyes
delayed answer
ten eternal seconds
before he answered
yes—he would lead us
the manual plain
When you eliminate all thoughts about life/death
you will be able to totally disregard your earthly life
the training brutal
hit in face so many times
family would not know me
began to fear daily clubbing
supposed to scream “Hissatsu! ” (”Sink without fail”)
at the end
chosen day
awakened early
nervous ready
simple breakfast
hot tea
during preparation
vomited
looked final time
picture of yuki before fuji-san
beautiful skin color of snow
A flood of her returns
do not have the proper knives
seppuku not an option
climb to cockpit
comrades silent
they prepare
tears threaten me
taxi to runway
the signal is made
move to full throttle
gentle push into seat
wheels rise from ground
toward heaven
reach proper altitude
embrace clouds
fifteen minutes left
quiet now
just engine hum
focus
rehearse again and again
contents of my dreams
i played koto
as a child
beauty of the ivory bridges
suspended the strings
where is the justice
in this senseless waste?
Must Kagu-tsuchi be appeased?
His birth burned his mother
Will his fire be quenched by death?
target in sight
small dot over blueness
plane urged into steep dive
slowly at first
the engine begins its whine
pitch rises
fuselage shudders
wonder if they have realized
my dropp out of sky
What have i become?
Where am i going?
turned into a one-way person
rush to meet destiny
the film going faster
can see men firing anti-aircraft guns
elude their attempts
seconds remain
bitter taste in my mouth
Feel Divine Wind on my tongue
Okaa-san, Okaa-san…Mommy!
Full of feeling and packed with passion. Thanks for sharing my friend.
Love the imagery and internal monologue that captures the fear and the pride of such a task. I'd like to see the work punctuated with either better line breaks or actual punctuation. Still, this piece is meant to be savored.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Thank you for sharing! .. happy to have the chance to read such an interesting poem!