Farewell
Please don't stand on your engawa staring through the gate,
I've already crossed the outskirts of this town.
Please don't be in the practice hall fighting off the ghosts,
my footsteps on the gravel have already swept me far away.
Please don't walk your way to town sighing at the clouds,
I'm a sojourner and my home is the road.
Please don't sit in your kitchen gazing at the leafs in your cup,
where I'm headed and what I'll find the road only knows.
Please don't steep the dashi in feelings of misery,
all of us are on a road and must learn to trust our way.
Please don't take your buckets to drink from a bitter well,
in the end it's all travelers who must answer the Road's call.