Tanka poems against the war

The sanctions imposed

On UNRWA so lightly by 

Western countries are

Like taking away bread from

The hands of starving children

飢えし児の手に持つパンを取り上げる欧米諸国のUNRWA制裁

Ueshi ko no Te ni motsu pan wo Toriageru

Oubeishokoku no UNRWA seisai

On 26th of January 2024, the International Court of Justice found a plausible risk that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. I believe that the US and its allies should stop military aid to Israel before imposing sanctions on UNRWA, which has been providing key aid to Palestinians displaced by Israeli attacks.

= Related News =

■Doctor Just Back from Gaza: 

Cutting UNRWA Funds Is “Unconscionable” as Hospitals Barely Functional

https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/29/dr_thaer_ahmad_gaza_part2

■International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Prevent Genocide in Gaza 

But Fails to Order Ceasefire

https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/26/icj_provisional_ruling_israel_genocide_gaza

The tanka poems by Kaoru Kobashi

https://hanabaku.blogspot.com/

Am I in the hell?

Nobody can stop the ongoing

Massacre in Gaza

Nor the nuclear power plants 

Near the trembling peninsula

地獄絵のガザ虐殺も止められず原発回帰も止まらぬ睦月

Jigoku-e no Gaza gyakusatsu mo Tomerare zu

Genpatsu kaiki mo Tomara nu mutsuki

This is one of the first tanka poems I wrote in 2024. 

I feel helpless now, but I would bounce back.

Japanese traditional plat for celebrating a new year, Habotan Still vivid in the snow

Tanka poems and the photo by Kaoru Kobashi

https://hanabaku.blogspot.com/

 Do you know this unbelievable natural phenomenon happened in Japan?

Experts: Quake caused Noto Peninsula to expand over 4 square kilometers

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240109_26/

Noto Peninsula Earthquake Exposes 200 Meters of New Coastline

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto-peninsula-earthquake/20240107-160559/

It is amazing to see many photos and footage where the ocean floor of the long coastline has risen and looks like ground. What a catastrophic power nature has! Human beings are helpless and nature is out of our control.

What is more horrible is that 4 of aged nuclear power plants in the neighboring area are still operating. Nobody mentions that they should stop the operation except some experts and citizens who are really concerned about and know the vulnerability of the plants. 

I live in Kobe, and the plants are only 100 kilometers away. 

I really feel my rights as a human being are violated by the decisions made by the corporation and the government seeking only for financial benefit.

Image from The Yomiuri Shinbun

 As you may know, in Japan we had massive earthquakes and planes on fire on the 1st and 2nd days of 2024. I live in Kobe, so I have not been affected by those disasters, although I feel unsecured because of the endless aftermath and old nuclear power plants running near the devastated area.

Not only in Japan but also in Gaza, many lives were lost during the days. Nobody can stop earthquakes, but we can stop nuclear disasters and war crimes.

Here is my first tanka poem of 2024, the one posted 20 years ago.

Just like peeling a

Ripe white peach whole with one push

May the sun rise one

Morning and make the world whole

New with no fear and no war

白桃の皮をつるりとむくように

地球を真さらにする日昇れよ

Hakutou no Kawa wo tsururi to Muku youni

Chikyu wo masara ni Suru hi nobore yo

https://tankaagainstwar.blogspot.com/2004/01/

New year's arrangement in my garden 2024

Related news:

Japan earthquake: Fires hit quake zone as rescuers race to reach survivors

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67865502

Japan jet crash: Passengers describe chaos inside flight 516

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67865132

Tanka poems by Kaoru Kobashi

https://hanabaku.blogspot.com/