Are You There

One boat.

No one
in it.

An empty boat.

Beside it
one crow.

The crow
cried once.

The black sound
went far out over the sea.

The island people said

that somewhere on the far sea
there is Ieodo.

That it is where
those who did not return have gone.

I
looked at the sea.

Nothing
could be seen.

“Where
is that person?”

Someone said,

“Over there.”

“Where?”

No one
could point.

At first
they said come back.

Come back
just once.

Then they said
it would be enough to see the face once.

Later still,
it would be enough to hear the voice.

The sea
sent only waves.

After a long time
I asked again.

“Are you there?”

There was
no answer.

I
looked at the sea a long while.

And
this time I did not ask again.

The crow
rose from beside the boat.

It went
toward the horizon.

I
did not follow.