Fousou

(Maronad)

FOUSOU

(Elegy)

 

You look so pained

Trained on mine

Seems to be a prayer

Ah! How I pity you

If only it were in my power

To ease your pain'

Ah! If only I had been a Healer!

 

Of what then are you guilty

Poor dog? What debt then

Do you have to pay, poor beast,

That you must suffer so much

Before giving up your bit of life?

Were you told it was a sin

Those few eggs you secreted away

At the time you suckled puppies?

 

Might you have a soul to be saved?

And here you are lost now, Fousou.

Where have you gone, you so weak

Where have you gone to die?

Like your wild brother in the woods.

 

For three days we've looked for you

Called you by your name

In a pained voice

No response...Ah! to find your body!

Your poor body afflicted with a long illness

Your box remains to be bleached

Under the Sun-Moon?

Where are you then Fousou

Fousou! my good Fousou!

 

9/9/1974.