Dead Fish

this river, like all
rivers, has at last run dry
she no longer asks
if I thirst, if I wander
as she goes to fetch water

these questions that, so
long ago, my ears once heard
these crumbling words, flow—
sink and are swallowed
perhaps become fish

この川は
あらゆる川と
同じくもう
涸れてしまった
水を汲む彼女
もはや尋ねぬ

渇いたか
さ迷えてるか
飢えてるか
昔聞かれた
言葉が流れ
魚となる