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The Return of the Prodigal Son
The voices of a huge mob
explode all at once

Something small and white rides the wind
flying high into the sky

On earth three men are running
one has seized the moment to run away from home
one loses himself in pursuit of the thing flying in the sky
one dashes straight ahead, aiming to go home
will the prodigal son be allowed to return home?

In the blue of the blue sky a bird is
slowly walking
© Heiichi Sugiyama
From: Ao wo Mezashite
Publisher: HenshukoboNOA, Osaka, 2004
 
 
 
 
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© Translation: 2011, Takako Lento

Translator's Note: The poem recasts the biblical story as a baseball game. The fates of the runner who is dashing for home and of the batter who is running away from home depend on whether the fielder can catch the ball flying high in the air.