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| Rievaulx Abbey always tranquil |
Well our visitor Chris has gone back to London to sell more Sake and we are left quiet again. He is Paul's oldest friend, a remnant from the past life in Kyoto, where they lived and studied at the Ryona-ji temple. Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsberg were there at the same time, and Chris is doing a book (in Japanese) of the 60s phenomenon that led to hippies, drop outs, communes, etc even in Japan.
His business does well, but he is also a writer and editor of the airline magazine to Hawaii, where he lives. We did Rievaulx Abbey this morning and then bought lunch at the delicatessen in Helmsley, Chris bought cheddar cheese which he had fallen in love with, smoked bacon and brack (Yorkshire Barm cake).
Also our long haired 'Green Man' turned up, seemingly he is an old hippy as well, did a beautiful job on the bed to be dug out, recommended Munstead and Hidcote lavenders and promised to bring some foxgloves as well.
So a busy day and a cold one but of course fascinating, as we listened to Chris's tales about the personalities caught up in that time, it brings back the energy and the foolishness of it all, and a sadness that we now live in such a time as this.
Thought this poem would bring a wry smile, it is funny.......
Nanao Sakaki – Break the Mirror
In the morning
After taking cold shower
—-what a mistake—-
I look at the mirror.
There, a funny guy,
Grey hair, white beard, wrinkled skin,
—-what a pity—-
Poor, dirty, old man,
He is not me, absolutely not.
Land and life
Fishing in the ocean
Sleeping in the desert with stars
Building a shelter in the mountains
Farming the ancient way
Singing with coyotes
Singing against nuclear war—
I’ll never be tired of life.
Now I’m seventeen years old,
Very charming young man.
I sit quietly in lotus position,
Meditating, meditating for nothing.
Suddenly a voice comes to me:
“To stay young,
To save the world,
Break the mirror.”
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| the Hawaii shirt is recognisable |
I would add a note of kindness here from the rail ticket man in London. When seeing Chris get a first class ticket to us, he gave him the form for us 'seniors', which as you know gives us 25% off the price of a ticket.
I love that poem.
ReplyDeleteIt sits quietly in a droll manner bringing a smile to the lips.
DeleteLove that whole idea of breaking the mirror - I shall try to do so more often in several parts of my life - wise words indeed.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is not wise to break the mirror Pat but to accept what we see.
DeleteI like that! Sometimes I feel like breaking the mirror. It sees the wrinkles and grey hair, but at least I usually still feel young on the inside! I guess that's what really matters. We've recently been listening to some of the music from our young idealistic days and reminiscing. Seems like another life.
ReplyDeleteWell remember the old saying, if you break a mirror you will have seven years bad luck! But it is true what we feel inside hardly reflects the person outside.
DeleteThe mirror is a reflection of the outside and not the inside. We must remember that. I have a friend who lives in Hawaii who has a son who is writing on that era, but he lives in Washington State...wondering if they know your author friend?
ReplyDeleteNot sure of Chris's surname but will find out. For me the Japanese 'tone' of the poem reflects an American voice, almost Wendell Berry....
DeleteIt is Pearce, the airline magazine Hana Hoa.
DeleteIf we are lucky, we will grow old, and deep inside, our spirits will remain young. The reflection in the mirror does not tell our whole story. Well, sometimes it does, but lipstick and a hat can hide a lot.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough I have just bought a cloche hat, after many years of wanting to wear a proper hat rather than the knitted winter ones!
DeleteI shouldn’t really intrude on Thelma’s posts but I’d just like to say this; old friends are to be treasured, and Chris is one of mine. We share common memories and experiences of Japan as it was back in the mid-sixties. There were no digital cameras then of course, and half the time we couldn’t even afford to buy (black and white) film or pay for its developing. So what we now know of that time is all in our heads and nowhere else (well, other than some handwritten letters to family and friends back home maybe - if they’ve kept them.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference now when you can send a photo, or whatever, round the world and get a response back in seconds. Back in the sixties you’d send an airmail letter and wait at least two weeks to get a reply. Good or bad? Both I guess. Pace was slower, things took longer, and that’s all we knew so thought nothing of it really. We just got on with whatever needed getting on with.
Think I need to think about this. Is it better now than then, or have we lost something along the way?
Paul
I don't mind you intruding sweetheart, it was wonderful to watch you two reminicsing ;)
ReplyDelete