Stars and Dandelions - Kaneko Misuzu

A friend of mine, a Japanese lady, gave me this poem today.  
It is so simple and elegant, and yet so profound. 
My friend told me that it's about the things we take for granted - we may not see them, but still they're there.  This is such a beautiful poem.  I thought I'd share it with the rest of the world. 


Stars and Dandelions
(Kaneko Misuzu)


Deep down in the blue sky

Like pebbles on the ocean floor
They lie submerged till dark comes
Stars unseen in the light of day.
     You can't see them, still they're there.
     Even things not seen are there.


Petals drop and withered dandelions
Hidden in cracks between roof tiles
Wait silently for spring to come
Their strong roots unseen.
     You can't see them, still they're there.
     Even things not seen are there.


星とたんぽぽ



青いお空の底ふかく、
海の小石のそのように、
夜が来るまで沈んでる、
昼のお星は眼にみえぬ。
     見えぬけれどもあるんだよ、
     見えぬものでもあるんだよ。


散ってすがれたたんぽぽの、
瓦のすきに、だアまって、
春のくるまでかくれてる、
つよいその根は眼にみえぬ、
     見えぬけれどもあるんだよ、
     見えぬけれどもあるんだよ。