The Things I Want Decided
Izumi Shikibu
translated by Jane Hirshfield with Mariko Aratani

Which shouldn’t exist
in this world,
the one who forgets
or the one
who is forgotten?

Which is better,
to love
one who has died
or not to see
each other when you are alive?

Which is better,
the distant lover
you long for
or the one you see daily
without desire?

Which is the least unreliable
among fickle things-
the swift rapids,
a flowing river,
or this human world?