Saint Nicolas

Beard white as snow
Eyes blue as the sea
As if it was Saint Nicholas but…
Rustling in a black habit.
He has gifts in a large sack.
Who could this be?
That’s Zeno, brother Zeno!

To children without parents
He lights the lamp of hope.
To people who know no tomorrow
He pours water of life.
Water from Lourdes- from Holy Mary
Who could this be?
That’s Zeno, brother Zeno!

Today in Nagasaki, tomorrow in Tokyo
He visits his friends – the poor.
He travels like an express.
Under the bridges, in poor neighbourhood cities
To the farthermost parts of Japan.
Who could this be?
That’s Zeno, brother Zeno!

Translated by G. Z.