Quickly
Must be brief, since I have students coming any moment. More later maybe. Akkochan is fleeing to San Diego for nine days tomorrow, leaving me more or less bereft of texting companions. Much more to say about her, too, and certian phone conversations last night. Running is going well...not quite to my 5 a week goal, but I'm more fit than I've been since high school. Mt. Fuji will be no contest. Come on, compared to Whitney? I used to train on higher. Hehe, maybe shouldn't make fun of the giant volcano I can see from my front door, though. No such thing as an extinct volcano. Reading a fascinating book on cults in the Middle Ages, which finally confirmed a theory I'd been working out for years...the connection between Christianity and Greek philosophy (esp. Plato). It's quite direct and obvious. I knew someone surely worked this out a century ago, but I'd never come across an actual account...glad to know my own analysis was so spot on. Interesting reading. Still more interested in the Gnostics and early church, which it only glosses, but very well written and, strangely enough, seemingly accurate as well. Anyway, try to ramble more later. A quick poem here for Lauren, who is leaving for France in a couple weeks...(the most upbeat of my four J-poems, though with rather dark undertones and allusion):
For one who is leaving.
---A Lullaby---
Gotenba will always be spring,
with a green like no other green.
Wherever the world will take you,
what winding ways life may lead you,
she will dally with no other now.
Her shrines will shine like gold in your hair,
and old friends will find their way
into each secret smile
and sweet-tasting phrase
lilting langorously off your tongue.
Her cascading seconds will deepen your eyes,
two flickering lights that beckon and call,
luring tired travelers to your flame.
As far as weary feet will carry you,
your lily hands still are loitering
by a brook or a sedge
or a bough moist and heavy,
hung forever with the first fruits of spring.
- 12th June, 2007
For one who is leaving.
---A Lullaby---
Gotenba will always be spring,
with a green like no other green.
Wherever the world will take you,
what winding ways life may lead you,
she will dally with no other now.
Her shrines will shine like gold in your hair,
and old friends will find their way
into each secret smile
and sweet-tasting phrase
lilting langorously off your tongue.
Her cascading seconds will deepen your eyes,
two flickering lights that beckon and call,
luring tired travelers to your flame.
As far as weary feet will carry you,
your lily hands still are loitering
by a brook or a sedge
or a bough moist and heavy,
hung forever with the first fruits of spring.
- 12th June, 2007