Classic Poem

In the land of Azuma
where the cocks crow,
it took place
far in the past,
though they tell
of it still —
Tegona of Mama
in Katsushika
dressed herself in hemp cloth,
trimmed it with a blue collar,
wove herself a skirt to wear
out of pure hemp,
no comb
for her hair,
no shoes on her feet
when she went abroad,
but what pampered daughter
done up in
patterns and brocades
could compare to her?
Her face
perfect as the full moon,
when she stood there
smiling like a flower,
men swarmed around her
like summer insects
drawn to a flame,
like ships rowing
for the harbor mouth.
But then,
as though life weren't
short enough already,
what did she do
but take herself off,
laid herself down
where the noise
of the waves is loudest,
in the deepest part of the harbor!
Though this happened
in an age long ago,
I think of it
as if I had seen it
only yesterday

ENVOY

When I look at the well
at Mama in Katsushika,
I think of Tegona
who used to stand here
drawing water