a rustle, a scrape — a voiceless insect has come
kasari kosori oto sasete nakanu mushi ga kita
1932–1934 · At the Gochū hermitage
Sōmokutō · One Man Within (Gochū hitori)
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In the hermitage at night there is a rustle, a scrape, and what shows itself is an insect that does not sing. A singing insect could be loved for its voice; this one has only come. Still, a guest is a guest, and a night alone grows lively enough on so small a visit.