lucien stryk on shinkichi takahashi

I hold a newspaper, reading.  

Suddenly my hands become cow ears,

Then turn into Pusan, the South Korean port.

Lying on a mat

Spread on the bankside stones,

I fell asleep.

But a willow leaf, breeze-stirred,

Brushed my ear.

I remained just as I was,

Near the murmurous water.

When young there was a girl

Who became a fish for me.

Whenever I wanted fish

Broiled in salt, I’d summon her.

She’d get down on her stomach

To be sun-cooked on the stones.

And she was always ready!

Alas, she no longer comes to me.

An old benighted drake, 

I hobble homeward.

But look, my drake feet become horse hoofs!

Now they drop off

And, stretching marvelously,

Become the tracks of the Tokaido Railway Line.

Shinkichi Takahashi

triumph of the sparrow