One Man's Maple Moon: Elm Tree Tanka by Fumiko Nakajo

English Original

fresh leaves

of a large elm tree

crumpled by wind

I am detested because

I wish to live passionately

Breasts of Snow, 2004

Fumiko Nakajo 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一棵大榆樹

的新葉子

被風吹皺

我被人們討厭是因為

我希望充滿激情地生活

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一棵大榆树

的新叶子

被风吹皱

我被人们讨厌是因为

我希望充满激情地生活

 

Bio Sketch

Fumiko Nakajo (中城ふみ子, 1922-54) was a strong-willed woman who lived a tragic life. She died from breast cancer at the age of 32, just few months after her first collection of 50 tanka, titled Chibusa Soshitsu (The Loss of Breasts), won the first prize in a nationwide contest sponsored by a major magazine. She is, though almost unknown outside of Japan, considered to be the third in the three most famous Japanese female poets in the last century, right up there with Akiko Yosano and Machi Tawara.