I Do See You In the Back

FAME

Nope, this is not about what you probably thought it was about.

I lured you here.

Like a salmon.

Anyway,

several 3rd-year students have been writing essays in preparation for their tests to enter college. I have been asked to give advice to the kids on these essays.

Often, the English ability of teens at my school, one which boasts pretty high-level students, is just simple enough to be profound when saying complex ideas. These students are doing an excellent job, and have really touched my heart (and made me laugh!) with their answers to the following question:

“If you became famous, what would you do with your fame?”

Touching answers:

“First, I want to contribute to world peace…”

“I want to participate in volunteer work for other countries.”

“If I become famous, I would like to ask many people what it is like to be peaceful.”

“I want to do volunteer work in my hometown which has few people.”

“I would help a lot of people suffering from diseases and hunger.”

“I would travel all around the world and meet other famous people to learn about the real world.”

Then there are these kids…

“If I make friends with famous sports players, I may go to their games for free.”

“I want to eat many delicious foods.”

“I like beautiful women, so I’d want to make friends with them.”

“I’d like to have one hundred horses if I become famous.” (This student also told a story about her horse growing up. She said it was “her precious.” Also, horses are good for the earth. Makes sense.)

But my favorite…the one that touched my heart, was this:

“A lot of animals are …thrown away each year. I will build a special house and look after them with money which I make. I will give these animals to people who want to own animals.”

TAKE ALL OF MY MONEY, VISIONARY 3RD GRADE JAPANESE STUDENTS!

ALL OF IT!

Refracted

Wisps of grass smell of the past
And here, in essencing, wrong me.

My heritage, unsymmetry of boughs;
I left you there alone and dark,
Your cloudy crown as always, gray
And white with wisdom unheeded
By my sneakered feet untied.

But now amid the morning sun
Which never turns to eve,
I know your truths,
In absence they reveal themselves,
As Rainier rising from the mist.
You are my then and will be “will be,”
I left you there to find you here
Refracted;
The rain    splits         me              open.
雨 は      僕を         切て       広げる。