About this work
A poem voices the frustration of wanting to help someone live while finding that words and gestures cannot reach them. This English version is an editorial translation for access; the Japanese text remains available alongside it for comparison.
Parallel reading
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Read the Japanese original and its English translation together. On smaller screens, each language follows in sequence.
日本語原文 Japanese original
成す術もなくて立ち尽くす
悔しくて もどかしくて
愕然と途方に暮れる
無力な自分を責めることしか出来なくて
手を差し伸べようにも届かない
どうか生きてほしい
掛ける言葉も届かない
出来ることは何なのか
見つけたいのに
見つからなくて
情けない小さな自分がいた
ただひたすら祈りながら
涙を呑むだけの無力
どうか生きてください
どうか生きてほしいから
枯れ枝でも生きる息吹を秘めているのに
この私の無力感は
一体全体何者なの？
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
With no means to act, I stand frozen—
frustrated, impatient,
stunned and utterly at a loss.
I can do nothing but blame my powerless self.
I reach out a hand, but it cannot reach you.
Please, live.
Even the words I offer cannot reach you.
What can I do?
I want to find it,
but I cannot.
There I was, small and ashamed,
praying with all my heart,
powerless, able only to swallow my tears.
Please, live.
I want you to live.
Even a bare branch conceals the breath of life.
Then what in the world
is this powerlessness I feel?
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.