Appendix

Excerpt from An Anthology of Twentieth-Century Poets in Hawai’i, Pacific University Press, 1989.

The translated poems of Hiroshi Sumida (1893-1920)

Hundred fertile seeds

papaya’s surprise. Like us

things we share.

****

You are my new friend.

At night I walk and wonder.

Moon is not surprised.

****

Standing together

at nightfall, I am so real,

with you watching me.

****

Rocks shield our friendship

waves quiet others’ questions

we laugh together.

****

Smiling up the path,

where is the plumeria?

Your note in the rocks.

****

Rain, sun, fertile earth

come together in paper,

my poem, your painting.

****

On solid gold foil

your painting of my poem

or on fragile silk?

****

Under my window

jasmine blooms in the moonlight

our fragrant secret.

****

Bright metal shovel

planting in Ewa’s red earth

grows rust, matching soil.

****

You sketch lines, the road

we walk winds across paper

always with flowers.

****

This abundant land

what is its promise for us

standing hand in hand?

****

New Years white mochi

everyone pounds together,

sweet secret inside.

****

Fishing from the shore.

Always I will prize this place.

Waves. Waiting for you.

****

Your treasured portrait

settles my heart in its home,

alas, framed in doubt.

****

Brown cane flowers burnt

to my browns after harvest.

The women would weep.