Ame ni mi Makezu - Not losing to the rain

by Kenji Miyazawa

not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow nor to summer`s heat
with a strong body
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
cultivating a quiet joy
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso and some vegetables to eat
in everything
count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut
if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and sholdering her sheaf of rice
if there is someone near death to the south
going and saying there is nothing to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or suit to the north
telling them to leave off such waste
when there is drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer is cold, wandering upset
called a blockhead by everyone
without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become