Photograph by Hiroshi Wantanabi

For the Anniversary of My Death


By W. S. Merwin


"Every year without knowing it I have passed the day

When the last fires will wave to me

... And the silence will set out

Tireless traveler

Like the beam of a lightless star



Then I will no longer

Find myself in life as in a strange garment

Surprised at the earth

And the love of one woman

And the shamelessness of men

As today writing after three days of rain

Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease

And bowing not knowing to what"