Love Poem: On the Bridge of Fireflies

On the Bridge of Fireflies

[Paraphrase/translation of a ballad sung by Meiko Kaji]

It must have been my seventh or eighth visit
To the Bridge of Fireflies.
With eyes closed, I still see flashes,
Small swirling lights lift upward.

After that, I went to Tokyo
I traded fireflies for neon lights and cheap sake
Soon enough the river that is my heart
Became a deep pool of corruption.

The bridge where I first fell in love,
Where I thought I found love,
If I close my eyes I still see flashes,
Small whirling lights lifting upward.

Together we went to Tokyo
We had only our innocent hearts
I was worn down, moving place to place,
I should regret it, but I don't regret anything.