keenly I feel I am being let live as I mend a tear
shimijimi ikasarete iru koto ga hokorobi nuu toki
1937–1938 · Late years at Gochū-an
Sōmokutō · Persimmon Leaves (Kaki no ha)
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He mends a tear in his robe. In the quiet time of drawing the needle through, he feels keenly that he is not living so much as being allowed to live. The small handwork of repair comes, just as it is, to resemble prayer.