Daybreak of Hope
"Night's candles are burnt out
and jocund day
stands tiptoe
on the misty mountain tops."*
Last year in Japan in November when the fingerprinting for non-Japanese legislation came into effect, I took a walk on Konpira-san mountain where I tried to lift my spirits by taking pictures of a place I knew I would not walk again. There was a great deal of regret and sadness then, as there still is now.
Yet today I find myself feeling hopeful that things will improve after the American election and in celebration of that hope I'm posting a few pictures from that walk.
(*Romeo to Juliet, in a situation the complete antithesis of this, but nevertheless, as is usual with Shakespeares's plays, the poetry is versatile and subject to frequent misquotation.)
8 comments:
Kia ora VJ,
While those photos are simply stunning I can feel and see your melancholia in them. It is palpable.
Beautiful prose VJ, when I read your word at my place they brought tears to my eyes.
Possibilities for Humanity seems real today. A long road and a long way to go, but possible.
Aroha,
Robb
There's great solace in places with meaning far beyond the shallow, grasping lives of consumption-oriented humans. Today I find my spirits curiously lifted despite the outcome of yesterday's election here in Aotearoa. The quotation from Shakespeare seems fitting to the point of synchronicity. Thanks, VJ.
Thank you Robb. Your and Pete's comments are much appreciated. I do find myself homesick for Japan these days. Perhaps you more than most can appreciate the feeling of loving two "homes". These days I feel more a stranger in Canada than I did in Japan when I left. The recent election of a conservative,( small and large C's) has me wondering what people are thinking, but since Anerica influences so much of the world, I'm hopeful that things may be looking up come January.
Shakespeare will always be one of my favouite writers because his words have deep meaning, beauty and the power to move us. Sure wish some of that would rub off. :)
Pete:
I wasn't aware you had an election too. We've just finished one here, where the status quo was confirmed for a further four years. Yet, as I just wrote to Robb, there is hope because of America's big infuence on the rest of the world.
And it's just about time for a little hope, isn't it?
I just read your latest post about your travels in the Ruahines, with a set of very painterly photographs. It's easy to see how you could find consolation in such a place. Though the near-by places I can get to here (by public transportation) are more the Malls and Shoppimg Centers, there are still a few small pieces of woods that my daughter and I can walk the dogs in. Those are the best times for me.
Kia ora VJ,
Yes unfortunately we here in NZ have also taken a conservative right swing in our election. People seem to feel being 40-50 bucks a week better off is more important than our environment and future for our children.
This is a very hard time of year for me as well VJ. Thanksgiving in the states was always my favourite time of year, and melancholia always overtakes me thinking about my other home, family, and memories. A never ending battle.
So it is always heart warming and good for my soul to connect with you and share that. Please have a lovely day VJ.
Aroha,
Robb
Not knowledgeable about politics, but always hopeful about progress:). The pictures are beyond words - I haven't seen such beauty till date!
Robb:
Holidays are always hard; I remember that from Japan. Often they are just as hard, even if you are with family, because of high and unrealistic expectations we often have of others. Then when we are away we oten idealize things to the nth degree so that the reality can't measure up, unless we are extremely lucky.
For holidays away I either tried to recreate meals or experiences I was missing or do something completly diferent. One thing now, with the internet and internet telephone, we can more easily get in touch at holiday time. And it's always great to get real letters and cards. I found that I used to think that if I were here that I would be able to spend more time with some of my family; but when I got back I found that the ones who cared found a way to contact me in Japan, and the ones who didn't could be a few streets over and never call. C'est la vie, I guess.
Coming home is not without its problems. I have been suffering from the biggest reverse culture shock and it's not over yet. Getting back to work teaching in the last few weeks has started to help.
Best wishes for good walks, good food, good times, and big hugs for you and your family in N.Z. at this and all holiday times.
Sunshinemom:
Thanks for the nice comment about the pictures. While parts of Japan are little more than seas of ugly gray concrete, the shrines and temples, often seated on small mountains, are lovely in the way that only constant care, careful planting, and artistic planning can make them. In fact, on Konpira-san every vista is beautiful, an oasis for souls sick of crowded city life.
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