Gratitude _ a poem by Shuntaro Tanikawa Translated by Yuri Kageyama

My translation of Tanikawa’s final poem

I wake up
I see the foliage in my yard
I remember yesterday
I’m still alive

Today just needs to be more of yesterday
That’s how I think
I have no plans to do a thing

Nothing hurts
I’m not itchy either but I’m grateful
To whom in the world?

To God?
To the world? To outer space?
I don’t know but
A sense of gratitude stays

My AP Obit Nov. 19, 2024 on Shuntaro Tanikawa