About this work
A poem follows the steps from infancy to adulthood, reflecting on patience, parenting and the continuing effort of finding one’s way. This English version is an editorial translation for access; the Japanese text remains available alongside it for comparison.
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日本語原文 Japanese original
赤ちゃんのときやっと寝がえり出来て
匍匐前進して褒められ
ハイハイして喜ばれ
立ち上がり、尻餅ついて励まされ
つかまり立ちして嬉しくて
伝い歩きして世界が広まり
そして最初の一歩をあるく
結果を焦らずに
物事には順番と過程がある
当たり前のことだけれど
わたしは忘れがち
叱られてなるほどなと
親になり子を育てると
いろいろ気づかされ
わたしもこうやって育ててもらった
気付いたときには子らは去り
中途半端な大人になって
あるくこの道茨道
ひとはあるく
朝露小径茨道
泣きべぞかいては励まされ
今日もわたしはあるいてる
English translation 英訳
AI-assisted English translation. The Japanese original remains authoritative.
Walking
Nao Takatori
2024.1.16
When I was a baby, I finally managed to turn over
And crawled forward, praised for it
Crawling brought joy
Standing up, falling on my bottom, encouraged
Grabbing hold, happy
Walking along, the world widened
And then the first step, Walking
Not worrying about the result
Things have their order and process
A commonplace thing, yet
I often forget
Scolded, I said, "Oh, right"
Becoming a parent, raising a child
Teaches me many things
I was also raised this way
By the time I noticed, the children had left
Becoming half-baked adults
Walking this path, brambled way
People walk
Morning dew, narrow path, brambled way
Crying, yet encouraged
Today, I am still walking
Original wording, author credits, notes and source materials are preserved there.