אגדה יפנית [Agada Yapanit] [English translation]

The Hunter woke at 5 am

and stepped out of the door,

to the forest he was headed then

as he loaded his bow.

he searched until the sun set down

and dashed his hopes at once,

as he walked round and around

his thirst and hunger gushed.

downhearted and upset

the forest he left,

but then, in his village

two swans by the pond sat!

beautiful and white

loving and bright,

on the spot

an arrow was shot.

The weary hunter

laid his head at last

but a nightmare

disturbed his sleep, alas:

a tortured girl

approached his bed,

and a feather lies

in her little hand.

her beautiful eyes

stare and criticise

throughout the night

she cries and cries

what was the sin

of my white beloved?

tomorrow

come to the pond!

The Hunter woke at 5 am

and stepped out of the door,

to the forest he was headed then

as he loaded his bow.

a gentle swan,

white feathered tone,

waiting for the hunter alone.

it opened his beak

before the hunter could speak

it torn it’s own flesh to his eyes

and in his shadow it dives

everything is silent

everything is wild