![Madoka Mayuzumi[Poems of 17syllables]Title](../../images/text_s_e.gif)
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[Japanese]
Pursuing when there is a road, shining upon it, the New Year's sunrise."The New Year's sunrise" means the first sunrise on New Year's Day.It is not only the beginning of a day, but it tells us the beginning of the year. It is very refreshing and also divine. The word "road" in the haiku is not only a road upon which people walk or drive, but it is sometimes a symbol for a goal or a dream, or it may be a line of hope for someone. I believe that if one has a firm dream or goal, and keeps walking along his/her road without giving up, a light will eventually shine upon the road. Last year I walked 900 km (about 558 miles) of pilgrimage roads in Santiago, Spain. There were many difficult situations along the way, and many times I almost gave up walking. But when the next morning came, the fresh sun always shown upon the road ahead of me. Today is the grand opening of the year 2000. As long as we keep on having dreams and hope and never give up, the New Year's sun will shine brightly upon these roads that show us our future.
[seasonal words] the New Year's sunrise Winter cherry, not knowing when the blossom begins and ends.The winter cherry blooms with its white single layer of pedals in the cold winter.Although the winter cherry lacks the spectacle of the spring cherry blossoms that drop so quickly, the winter cherry lets us enjoy it a lot longer. I am sure the winter cherry has its period of full blossom, but because the duration of the blossoms is so long, it is difficult to detect the beginning, peak and end of the process. Perhaps that is why the winter cherry is so strong and blooms so long. The spring cherry is gorgeous but short-lived, and the winter cherry is simple but continues blooming so long. The frailty behind the flamboyant, the strength behind the frailty; so may it be said of our own lives.
[seasonal words] winter cherry Watching a swan with a complete stranger.It was once when I casually took a walk to a lake by myself that I found a graceful swan swimming among a flock of waterfowl. For a while I stood there at the edge of the water captivated by the elegant figure of the swan. Then I discovered there was another person next to me watching the swan just as I was. Although we were complete strangers, at that moment we must have felt the same excitement without knowing each other's name or whether we would ever see each other again.
[seasonal words] a swan Knitting, what does it mean to conceive a child?It is a peaceful gentle scene to watch an expectant mother knitting on the park bench on a warm afternoon. It looks like one of the symbols of a woman's happiness to watch her talking to the baby and knitting tiny booties for her unborn.But, it is difficult to imagine for a woman who has never experienced pregnancy. Once when I was knitting for myself, I wondered for a moment what it would be like if I were knitting this for my own baby! I wondered how it must feel to have a heavy tummy, or difficulty in moving, or the pain of bearing a child, although I am sure the happiness is overwhelming. I can only imagine it. Maybe someday will I have a chance to knit tiny booties, too.
[seasonal words] knitting Hot chocolate, living through the political events by saying "I don't know".Men usually love to discuss politics, such as the current Prime Minister, the political regime, the political factions, the elections, and so on.Whenever they get together, they enjoy their debates, while many young women have less interest in politics. Even though they are aware of it, their knowledge and opinions are not the same as that of men. Of course, this does not mean they have no interest. But it is awkward to get involved in a heated discussion when one starts talking with what men perceive as insufficient knowledge. For the time being, it is easier to pretend that "I don't know", and to sit back and observe. She is a girl who feigns ignorance by saying, "I don't know anything about politics." as she sips a cup of hot sweet chocolate.
[seasonal words] hot chocolate translated by Mineko Azuma
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