Be Not Defeated by Bacteria

Be Not Defeated by Bacteria

Inspired by Kenji Miyazawa’s “Ame ni mo Makezu”

Not defeated

by Clostridium welchii,

by Staphylococcus aureus,

by Escherichia coli,

nor by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

with intestines firm and strong,

no incontinence,

never enraged,

always of moderate hardness

Eating daily

four bowls of brown rice,

miso soup,

and a little vegetables

In all things,

not swayed

by the moods of one’s own intestines

Eating well,

sleeping well,

walking,

and not forgetting

In a small thatched hut

beneath the pine woods of the field

East where one suffers constipation,

go and offer fermented foods

West where a child has diarrhea,

go and restore their water balance

South where gas will not cease,

go and gently pat the belly

North where one is too tense to go,

stand beside the toilet and sing

In drought, care for the intestines

In the cold summer, drink warm water

Called by all,

a person of gut health

Neither too hard,

nor foul of smell

Such a stool,

I wish to produce