A selfie of me, taken a few years ago. 武士 is kanji for bushi
("warrior"). It has been "my character" since 2007.
("warrior"). It has been "my character" since 2007.
Goodbye, goodbye –
how long it takes to say?
A part of me is going to die
and to find a way
how long it takes to say?
A part of me is going to die
and to find a way
out from a farewell
when heart is an empty shell
it may take longer
until you get stronger
to live without love –
poor, misleading love.
A poem by Teisuka
when heart is an empty shell
it may take longer
until you get stronger
to live without love –
poor, misleading love.
A poem by Teisuka
I add here also a passage from my previous book because it reflects my feelings at the moment:
"I started to think: where are all the angels when horrible things happen? I replied to myself: they are on the walls of nurseries and on the pages of picture books as beautiful, powerless images. All we have are pictures. Devotedly painted icons and carefully constructed images. It is said that God created man in his own image, as an icon of Him, but people have created gods in their own images, for better or for worse. The harder you believe in those pictures, the more real they become. Images dominate us. All kinds of images. Recollections. Mental images. Idols. Gods. And the picture of her."
(Translated from the Finnish by Gilmore)
"I started to think: where are all the angels when horrible things happen? I replied to myself: they are on the walls of nurseries and on the pages of picture books as beautiful, powerless images. All we have are pictures. Devotedly painted icons and carefully constructed images. It is said that God created man in his own image, as an icon of Him, but people have created gods in their own images, for better or for worse. The harder you believe in those pictures, the more real they become. Images dominate us. All kinds of images. Recollections. Mental images. Idols. Gods. And the picture of her."
(Translated from the Finnish by Gilmore)
P.S. A later additions:
July 7, 2015. The text above was written at the moment of weakness, for years ago. I haven't lost my faith, though it has been weak lately. Of course, I still believe in God. When I write, "people have created gods in their own images", I'm talking about the false gods and idols or graven images. ~Teisuka
August 13, 2015. The poem actually tells about my past goodbyes (at least, for the most part). Besides, I don't know how definitive word is 'sayonara' ("goodbye" in Japanese language). More, I like a Russian word 'dasvidaniya', which also means "goodbye" but literally, "until we meet again"... Once, Buddha drew a circle with a piece of red chalk and said: "When men, even unknowingly, are to meet one day, whatever may befall each, whatever the diverging paths, on the said day, they will inevitably come together in the red circle." – I believe in these mystical words. Very wise and profound. And I will make a new update here, when I feel stronger and I know my health is fine. Right now, nothing is self-evident, and I don't know anything. ~Teisuka
¸.•´¸.•*♫ Hello Teisuka-san, great post of this picture of yours, as a Japanese bushi... Last Saturday I was in Tokyo for a day... Just came back so was a little behind on checking friends' blogs... LOL... Thanks for sharing your poem and feelings... Have a wonderful day my friend....
ReplyDeleteHello Shawn-san (I assume it is Shawn, though there is no signature)
DeleteMany thanks for visiting here and for your kind words, my friend. Waa, I'm glad to hear you've just been in Tokyo for a day! I hope you had a great trip. Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Teisuka
¸.•´¸.•*♫ Yes, it was me and you could always tell.. LOL... Well, my transist fright from Tokyo to Chicago was cancelled all together due to maintance issue... So got a chance to stay a night in the city.... Got to see the city around and taste of the local food once again... It concluded my 3 weeks vacation.... Hope you enjoy your summer over there....
DeleteGood piece of text from your book. It is kind of bittersweet, and yet it gives some solace. I feel a bit same myself, because I have also faced many obstacles this spring and summer in my personal and professional life. But eventually, I guess whatever happens, the most important thing is to endure, carry on and push forward.
ReplyDeleteWith best wishes,
Good old neighbour Doyle :)
Hello, my good old neighbour Doyle!
DeleteGlad to see you, buddy. Thanks for visiting here and for your comment. Oh, you feel the same? Anyhow, let us be strong, brother. We never give up – right? On the other hand, I like this cynical and humorous Finnish saying: "Eikun leuka rintaan ja kohti uusia pettymyksiä." Hahaha. :D Seriously, I wish strength and patience to both of us... Be well, my friend!
Teisuka
Hi Teisuka,
ReplyDeleteLong time no "see"! Sorry I haven't visited your blog portal for quite a while, and I'm also sorry to learn that you've had your down times lately. I hope you are doing better now. If not, just keep your faith and believe that difficult times shall pass. I will definitely keep you in my prayers.
Probably just like what you've gone through, things haven't gone very well for me either lately. Over the past several months until late June, my wife had struggled a lot at her workplace, becoming the victim of office politics. Finally, she had to quit her job and her social service career that she's so passionate about. Now she found another job, but it's giving her a lot of stress. And all this led to her high level of anxiety, which has brought a lot of negative energy to our family life as well. As a result, I've also been in a bad mood a lot lately, which somewhat strained our relationship. Anyway, I have had a lot of down times over the past several months, and that's partly why I have been on YouTube much less than before. I really miss the time when I used it a lot and had so much friendly interactions with friends just like you. It was so much fun.
I know it's easy said than done, but I think we should still keep our faith and trust that our God will help us overcome all the obstacles. Sometimes I also doubt whether the God is really out there watching over us and guiding us. But at the same time, I suppose God has His own agenda, and when the timing is right, He will touch our life with his miraculous power and make things right. While trusting Him may not solve all of our problems for now, at least it can give us strength and hope, I think.
Also, please keep in mind that you're not alone. I believe everyone has his or her battles to fight. Most of the time we may just see the bright sides of others, but in reality life is not easy for most people. So let's hang in there and keep doing our best, things will eventually work out for us. We are good people, so I believe we deserve the best in life. -:)
Thank you for sharing your life on this platform, whether it goes your way or not. I may not visit your blog website as often as before, but I will always be your loyal supporter. Cheer up, my friend, as a Chinese saying goes, "after the storm comes a rainbow." -:)
Have a great weekend! Blessings to you!
Bao
Hi Bao,
DeleteLong time no see, indeed. So glad to see you here, my friend! :) Many thanks for your wise and long comment. I've been a little bit sick lately. Besides, I had some heartaches but they are solved now. I can feel my faith is more stronger again, thank God.
Thanks for your prayers, Bao. I also remember you and your family in my prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about your hardships lately... You're right when you say, "everyone has his or her battles to fight". Yes, I've always realized this fact.
You write a lot of wise and comforting words, my friend. Yes, we should keep our faith and we have to believe that difficult times shall pass. God will eventually help us overcome all the obstacles, for sure. There is an old Chinese saying (maybe you know it): "Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise." For many times, I have noticed, this is so true!
God give us strength and hope, amen. Whatever comes, everything is in God's hands. Life teaches us humility... We can only do our best and trust in God.
Have a wonderful weekend, Bao. May God bless you and your family! :)
Lastly, I want to share some comforting passage from The Bible: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" (Psalm 121).
Teisuka