“Once I was beside you In the afternoon, with greeting leaves and flowers The autumn clouds were preening on the mountain peaks The autumn wind sang cheerfully on the hilly meadows.
A few days together I thought it would be forever. Forgotten was the old loneliness Like there was no tomorrow...”
All have had their school days. Everyone has experienced the sorrow and jubilation at the end of the school year when summer vacation starts, and the sadness of being apart from beloved friends and teachers. The azure sky, the brilliant royal poincianas, the cicadas’ songs of lamentations, and the angst within innocent hearts: everything is a lively painting depicting the time of youth vividly.
“Do you recall one early summer Royal poincianas filled the sky like the lifeblood of youth Strolling with classmates in the schoolyard Lingering at the moment of farewell, alas!
Half in gladness, half hesitating in parting A pink blossom to adorn each other’s hair, our expression of affection! After the dust trails of departures, a long hundred days follow Cicadas chorus in sorrow like our heartfelt adieu.
You depart for the fertile fields and blue-green waters Where streams and lakes chorus to greet acquaintances On a ferry, little sister crosses the grand river Returning to the small village where there’s mother and the cassavas.
Brother’s ship travels across the azure ocean and white sand Willow trees weave a tender melodious song Sister’s car enters the highlands Where mountain clouds shade an enchanting smile...
I remain here in the windy and dusty city Counting withering flowers while waiting for the summer sunlight to fade Waiting for a hundred days, waiting anew for a warm embrace Waiting to stroll under the school’s shaded terrace.
Don’t forget, my dear, our days of joy Good friends, honored teachers, and cherished relations.
The golden breeze scatters red poincianas all around the walls And in my heart, the days and months silently fall... Yearning so deep like the desolate schoolyard A hundred days of longing is like a century silently passing by!”
People often find themselves preoccupied with the demands of a fast-paced world. Yet with an instance of deep contemplation can come a bright realization. Let us treasure life, for every moment on Earth is a gift from our Creator.
“Thanks for the hours. Thanks for the days. Thanks for the seconds. Thanks for the nights.
All the times we spent together Are still in my mind. Mountains and rivers Were our paradise!
How long will it last? We’re asking ourselves The answer is there, Somewhere I can’t tell.
We were with the fall, Beautiful golden wood, Picking raspberries Happy like in childhood.
We were with nature, Walking miles along. Far away is the future In horizon unknown.
How long will it last? We’re asking ourselves The answer is there, Somewhere I can’t tell.”
When the heart resonates to the rhythm and melody of romance, all of creation also fluctuates according to the soul of the one in love. The four seasons, day and night, no longer function according to the timeline of the universe but become a reflection of the feelings within one’s heart. We can only see blossoming flowers and nature’s beauty under a luminous sky colored with the hues of bliss.
“When Spring commences I set my affection on butterfly wings Soaring toward a world, infinite Where there is someone, beautiful as a dream!…
When Spring commences First love as fresh as a new page Poetic verses unbridled Flying over remote country hills My heart becomes a festival…
After Summer comes Autumn Where has the time gone? All the world in abandon!… Winter arrives gently Life is always Spring Birds sing songs of courtship The wind croons a soulful imperial dance… Dawn, the color of amour Twilight, the color of love Summer, the season of amour! Autumn, the season of love! …
When Spring commences We search for one another in each breath A rose bud just blossomed In love’s fragrant-filled garden…”
