Break the Mirror

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In the morning
After taking cold shower

—what a mistake—

I look at the mirror.


There, a funny guy,

Grey hair, white beard, wrinkled skin,

—what a pity—

Poor, dirty, old man,

He is not me, absolutely not.


Land and life

Fishing in the ocean

Sleeping in the desert with stars

Building a shelter in the mountains

Farming the ancient way

Singing with coyotes

Singing against nuclear war—

I’ll never be tired of life.

Now I’m seventeen years old,

Very charming young man.


I sit quietly in lotus position,

Meditating, meditating for nothing.

Suddenly a voice comes to me:

“To stay young,

To save the world,

Break the mirror.” 


― Nanao Sakaki, Break the Mirror


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