Break the Mirror

Nanao Sakaki 

1987

In the morning
After taking cold shower
            -----What a mistake-----
I look in the mirror.

There, a funny guy,
Grey hair, white beard, wrinkled skin,
            -----What a pity-----
Poor, dirty, old man!
He is not me, absolutely not.

Land and life
Fishing in the ocean
Sleeping in the desert with stars
Building a shelter in mountains
Farming the ancient way
Singing with coyotes
Singing against nuclear war—
I’ll never be tired of life.
Now I’m seventeen years old,
Very charming young man.

I sit down quietly in lotus position,
Meditating, meditating for nothing.
Suddenly a voice comes to me:

                        “To stay young,
                         To save the world,
                         Break the mirror.”

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