ある日の午後
別れというものは
突然に訪れるもの？
たぶん違う
ぼく自身が
兆しを見逃していた
たとえば彼女の
日常の不満
たとえば
ぼくの不注意な言葉
それとも有名な神様に
二人の幸せをお願いした
それが理由なんだろうか
もちろんぼくは
なにが起きても
二人はこれから
幸せになると
仮に別々の暮らしに
なっても
ただ
すこし惜しいのは
せっかく淹れてくれた
美味しい珈琲が
まだ飲みかけだったこと
あれエチオピアの
良い珈琲だったんだよね
Does parting come
upon us without warning?
Perhaps not.
Perhaps it was I
who failed to notice the signs—
her quiet frustrations woven
into the fabric of everyday life,
or the careless words
I spoke without a second thought.
Or perhaps it was because
I prayed to some celebrated god,
asking only for our happiness.
Whatever the reason,
I remain convinced that,
no matter what may have happened,
we shall both find happiness
in the days ahead—
even if our lives must continue
along separate paths.
The only thing I find a little regrettable
is something rather small.
The coffee she had so thoughtfully brewed for me,
so rich and fragrant,
was still unfinished in my cup.
It was a fine Ethiopian coffee,
if I remember correctly.
A truly excellent one.
