マルメロの木
朽ちかけた東屋に一人の老婆
庭ではマルメロの木が見守る
穀雨に濡れ薄桃色の花咲けば
老婆は恍惚としては眺めやる
立冬の風に吹かれ果実おちても
老婆は泰然としジャムも作らず
東屋の賃料はますます滞れども
老婆は日向で大きな木を眺めやる
一年が過ぎ三年の月日が過ぐるも
日向にてマルメロの木を見上げる
風に吹かれマルメロの木を見上げる
またマルメロの木も老婆を見下ろす
だだ見つめあう愛の至福なることよ
木と老婆をこっそり支える人がいる
English version
The Quince Tree
In a crumbling arbor, an old woman waits,
While the quince tree watches her as she states.
In the gentle rain, pale pink blooms appear,
The old woman gazes, lost in joy, sincere.
Though the winter winds blow and the fruits may fall,
She remains untroubled, without care at all.
Though the rent for the arbor is overdue,
She basks in the sunlight, the great tree in view.
A year passes by, then three years in their time,
Still, she gazes upward at the quince tree’s climb.
The wind whispers gently as the branches sway,
And the quince tree looks down in a kind, watchful way.
Oh, the bliss of their gaze, a love pure and true,
There’s someone who quietly supports them, too.
14行ソネット形式。英詩は弱強六歩格。日英詩とも脚韻あり。
A poem inspired by Saki's short story "The Quince Tree"
