| ((The Sea of Japan, 1999) (incident, 1973)) | | | | I cannot control the drift of the logged platform. |
| (Presumed, day one, two and three) "I can't swallow | | | | "I ate some raw fish, but still on this fifth day, I've had |
| very well; my salivary glands are starting to dry up; I've | | | | no water, I am hoping to get a bird to eat. (Later, |
| been under the sweltering sun for hours, | | | | separated from the other writings) |
| unaccountable hour's now. My body is being cooled by | | | | "Th en I di ed...!" |
| the constant cold water tossed over me at pretty | | | | The question arises how did I come about this |
| many regular intervals. The sound of the smashing | | | | account? |
| waves continually is having its affect on me, sound | | | | When the so called sailor was found drifting (if indeed |
| effects-drumming through my ears, my whole body. | | | | he was a sailor who's to say) he had written in ink all |
| The wooden raft I am on is swinging back and forth, | | | | over his body-hour after hour-what wasn't smudged |
| like a tugboat in a storm, but there is no storm, similar | | | | was documented by the Japanese officials, they were |
| to a wrestler throwing me everywhichway. There is | | | | all astonished to find a journal written on a human |
| no way to get dry, no rain to drink. I know I have | | | | body. And then it was pieced together. It would appear; |
| perhaps five days of life in me. | | | | even under good weather it didn't help the poor soul, |
| (Presumed, day, four and five) "The sun still is blazing, | | | | found adrift in the Japanese Sea. |
| the winds being pushed, rolling waves, sharks; I think | | | | While visiting Japanese friends, near Tokyo, in |
| sharks and sturgeon and hourly prayers. I lay tight | | | | September, of 1999, I fell upon this story, that |
| against the wood on the raft; my legs hang over the | | | | supposedly took place in 1973, prior to the end of the |
| opposite end, near touching the water. | | | | Vietnam War; and it was assumed there was a link to |
| "I am firmly convinced I am doomed. There is no use | | | | that... |
| to put out a great effort; I need my strength to endure. | | | | |