Bonsai of Thoughts: Seventeen

1. If you could never stay a lifetime,
then why did you take my hand?
Is everyone else just someone who changes hands?

2. Once,
even loneliness departs,
yet memory remains.
Night passes,
yet darkness remains.

3. After making this heart so mad
now you tell me
to quietly accept time's demands!

4. All the longings of this heart are split in two today.
One half wants you,
the other half reasons with me!

5. I've fallen in love with the moon,
and the moon itself is oblivious...!

6. When the moon comes by itself
to tell stories,
the stories themselves flee!

7. Don't lose me—
you won't find me again.
Can't you see,
I'm still searching even now!

8. Apart from the habit
of remembering you,
so much else in life has changed today!

9. How easily you said it:
'Be well!'
I'm still waiting
to see the power
of your blessing...

10. Without leaving,
could you ever have stayed so much!

11. They ask me,
'How are you?'
I look toward the ruins then.

12. No need for ointment,
give me another wound instead.
No need for comfort,
give me another blow instead.

13. People tell me
you've destroyed me!
If only they knew,
I'm still waiting to begin!

14. While there's still time,
place me somewhere safe!
If I get lost,
you'll surely lose.

15. If you murdered
the very dreams of these two eyes,
why did you keep the eyes alive?

16. If you flee even from my memory,
I promise you, I will
grope through forgetfulness
and tear off your mask before everyone!

17. Before leaving,
why didn't you tell me
the way to accept someone else?

18. Don't search for me in beauty,
search for beauty in me.
Both of us are aging, after all!

19. Thinking of you, I don't even have time!
Without so much busyness,
I would have forgotten you long ago!

20. Are you well?
If not, let me know!
If I can't keep you well,
I can still pray... even now!