(Ohio 2008)

The gingko tree drops its leaves
on a single day
the squirrel retrieves the nut that
lay hidden there
in Shatzel Hall
the raccoon sits chagrined
beneath the bench
where the last Mohicans
smoked their peace pipes
one long summer long
deep in the sky hangs a birdsong
a melody called past and gone
winter is coming

we will not meet again
and next spring
nothing will be as it was
the year brings only newness
that’s a lovely song

 

 

Translated by Geoffrey C. Howes