|
发表于 2011-6-16 10:43:32
|
显示全部楼层
英文版:
VOX POPULI: With long hot summer ahead, let's be civil to one another
Let me cite a verse from a poem by Yukio Tsuji (1939-2000), a poet known for his lyrical style and humor. The title of the poem is "Engagement."
"Nose to nose/ So close by/ What can I call this/ But bliss?"
"If I keep inhaling the breath you exhale/ And you inhale the breath I exhale/ Before long/ We might die."
I like the way he describes the couple's closeness. But forgive me, Tsuji-san, for my tastelessness. It is this verse that comes to mind every time I am jostled in a crowded train. Nothing could be further from bliss.
In particular, I feel down during the rainy season when passengers press their damp bodies against one another. According to a survey by Weathernews Inc., a weather forecast service, "commuting" was at the top of the list of bothersome problems men faced during the rainy season and the second problem cited by women. Many readers must agree.
The Asahi Shimbun's Koe (Voice) column once ran a letter from a person who moved to Tokyo from elsewhere in Japan. The writer expressed surprise at the grouchy mood on the train. I have also occasionally come across other letters by readers who wrote about the hostile atmosphere on trains dominated by sullen looks, shouting and antagonism. Furthermore, high temperatures and humidity often amplify bad temper.
Just the other day, I saw two men quarreling on the train. Although it was unclear why they were fighting, they were telling each other to get off at the next station. These types are all the more troublesome because they make the unpleasant atmosphere linger, making those around them also feel uncomfortable.
Once the rainy season is over, we face a summer of energy saving. As fellow passengers who breathe the same air on a packed train, we must avoid a suffocating environment. Besides, the nuclear crisis may unexpectedly turn out to be a good opportunity for society as a whole to change the way people work and live. Instead of sweating, let us come up with wisdom to turn the disastrous situation to our advantage. |
|