Lying on the dune sand
this day I recall
remotely
the anguish of my first love.
...
I've worked harder than hardest,
Yet I'm no better off;
I only look down at my bony hands.
...
Takuboku Ishikawa ( February 20, 1886 – April 13, 1912) was a Japanese poet. He died of tuberculosis. Well known as both a tanka and 'modern-style' (shintaishi or simply shi) or 'free-style' (jiyūshi) poet, he began as a member of the Myōjō group of naturalist poets but later joined the "socialistic" group of Japanese poets and renounced naturalism.)
Lying On The Dune Sand
Lying on the dune sand
this day I recall
remotely
the anguish of my first love.