UNBEATEN BY RAIN - POEM

not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow or to the heat of the summer 

with a strong body
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
cultivating a quiet joy
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso and some vegetables to eat
in everything 

count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut 

if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice 

if there is someone near death to the south going and saying there's no need to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north
telling them to leave off with such waste 

when there's drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer's cold, walk in concern and empathy
called a blockhead by everyone

without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become 

~Kenji Miyazawa