The Art of Disappearing

200711210927消失的藝術

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THE ART OF DISAPPEARING

by Naomi Shihab Nye

 

When they say Don't I know you?

say no.

 

When they invite you to the party

remember what parties are like

before answering.

 

...

 

If they say We should get together

say Why?

 

It is not that you don't love them anymore.

You're trying to remember something

too important to forget.

 

Trees.  The monastery bell at twilight.

Tell them you have a new project.

It will never be finished.

 

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store

nod briefly and become a cabbage.

When someone you haven't seen in ten years

appears at the door,

don't start singing him all your new songs.

You will never catch up.

 

Walk around feeling like a leaf.

Know you could tumble any second.

Then decide what to do with your time.

 

 

 

每當我發現自己陷入身不由己的窘狀時

就會溫習這首詩

生活裡的交際應酬 虛應文章 表面功夫

耗時又耗神

偶而得搞自閉 聆聽內心的聲音

這首詩並不是教人要拒人於千里之外

It's not that you don't love them anymore

  而是提醒我們:

You're trying to remember something

too important to forget.

Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.

樹雖然仰頭向天 但是向下紮根

頭可以在雲端裡 但是還是要腳踏實地

修道院的鐘聲

代代相傳 千古不變

人生雖然有很多變數

但是還是有一些不變的東西

在獨處的時候

比較容易記得什麼才是最重要的

而不會任自己被週遭的人事物擺佈

 

 

Walk around feeling like a leaf.

Know you could tumble any second.

Then decide what to do with your time.

我們都像樹葉一樣

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