Nov 2000: 

In a room where white feathers drop flutteringly
he is painting a picture
A window shuts out the view's pleasantness as it is 
a painting of a bird
At a corner of the room, a bird with its legs tied up is 
flapping its wings with all its might
he who gazes at that sorrowfully is 
sending (his) thoughts towards her

will you please tell me the way to the sky
although it's there near (you) now
will you please tell me to the sky
to travel far away  unable to reach still higher

...can't even tell whether it is day or night....

no matter how many nights passed
confidently/without guessing(?) he opened the heavy window
the sun and the wind spread into the room
lead him to leave to the outside

will you please tell me the way to the sky
Whirling upwards  in the wind
will you please tell me the way to the sky
shut as it was
wings were unable to spread, and goes falling

It looks like white feathers
after a bit of distortion,  understands everything 
things that won't come true (even if he wishes)

will you please tell me the way to the sky
although it's there near (you)
Will you please tell me the way to the sky
Even with fingertips   can't be reached
Will you please tell me the way to the sky
Like that bird    being chained to this earth
Aa the sky has not changed a single bit   it (always) was there
 

Thanks to Tsurara and Rei for checking.

~hidoko matsumoto