When the moonlight touches my tatami

When the moonlight touches my tatami*,
Spreading silver petals on the floor,
I shall leave the cosy bed behind me.
Like a cat, I’ll tiptoe to the door.

It is spring. The sakura’s** in blossom.
I would watch this scene for all my life.
It’s a miracle which is so awesome,
That I’ll stay outside until it’s light.

There will come the sun like inspiration,
And a bird will sing its merry song.
Everything is full of exaltation,
But so dark and gloomy is my soul.

Oh, I wish I were a tiny creature,
Something like this lovely careless bird…
Then I’d be both happier and richer
Than the rulers of this rotten world.
8.10.2009
(tr. «Когда луна уронит на татами»)

*tatami (in Japanese houses) any of a number of thick, woven straw mats of uniform dimensions, about three feet by six feet (91 cm by 183 cm), the placing of which determines the dimensions of an interior

**sakura (Japanese) an ornamental cherry blossom tree and its blossoms