One more April ends—
 
I keep forgetting to spread
 
my father’s ashes.

 

 
 
 

My apricot tree
 
has put on its fine green coat
 
to dance with the wind.

 

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
I have no use this morning
 
for your songs of joy.

 

 
 
 

Little brown sparrow,
 
were you fast asleep last night
 
when the full moon rose?

 

 
 
 

Another lockdown—
 
already I’ve forgotten
 
the cherry blossoms.

 

 
 
 

A siren shatters
 
the peaceful April twilight,
 
waking my old dog.

 

 
 
 

On the kitchen shelf
 
dust lays itself down each night
 
among the teacups.

 

 
 
 

Yellow butterfly,
 
don’t be in such a hurry—
 
stay with me a while!

 

 
 
 

All day long the wind
 
keeps up its fearsome roaring,
 
blowing crows off course.

 

 
 
 

April afternoon—
 
an old man blowing smoke rings
 
makes some children laugh.