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Supperman (Offline)
JF Old Timer
 
Posts: 300
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Japan
05-03-2011, 04:29 AM

Thanks again, for your positive thinking, and enthusiasm.

Though "enthusiasm" is not my style.
I want to behave "ordinary" and want to become an "ordinary" old man, if I'm not denied to become old by God.
I want to live a modest life. I want to behave decent.

I'm lacking ability as a poet, so I would like to introduce my favorite poem.
It describes Japanese spirit very nicely. (Old and traditional Japanese spirit. Maybe not now..)

"Amenimo makezu" by Kenji Miyazawa

not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow nor to summer's heat
with a strong body
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
cultivating a quiet joy
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso and some vegetables to eat
in everything
count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut
if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
if there is someone near death to the south
going and saying there's no need to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or a lawsuit to the north
telling them to leave off with such waste
when there's drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer's cold, wandering upset
called a nobody by everyone
without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become

Last edited by Supperman : 05-03-2011 at 04:53 AM.
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