ことしも暮れる火吹竹ふくthis year too draws to a close I blow the fire-tube

今年もいよいよ暮れていく。竈の前にかがんで火吹竹を吹く。頬をふくらませて火をおこす姿は年の瀬も普段も変わらない。一年の感慨を、竹筒ひとつ吹く息にこめた。This year, too, is drawing to its end. Crouched before the stove, he blows through the fire-tube. Cheeks puffed out, coaxing up the flame — the posture is the same at year's end as on any day. He pours a whole year's feeling into one breath through a length of bamboo.