青蛙唱歌 - The Singing Frog
Michèle LIAN 2004
追憶童年，
第一個浮現腦海的
是前庭花園的花花草草，
我坐在那兒
看著媽媽搖曳著
碎花洋裝衣裙出神。
其它的印象幾乎都模糊了。
只記得當年爸爸帥氣
和他厚實有力的大手，
還有媽媽媽的温柔美麗。
前院有大黑狗Ruby，
小白Mary還太小就留在家𥚃。
牠舔盤裡牛奶的模樣好可愛。
客廳美麗的花瓶常放著劍蘭，
媽說劍蘭高貴不貴。
媽喜歡縫製漂亮的衣裳⋯
當她唱那首月桃花時，
我和弟弟就把椅子排成一列，
配合媽腳踏縫紉機的聲音，
像是火車在快速行駛⋯
哥姐成天都在為聯考忙碌，
我和弟則無憂無慮的盡情玩耍。
我也喜歡在後院攀摘
竹架上的串串葡萄。
夏天午後
經常跑到屋後不遠的一片空地，
看蟋蟀跳舞, 聽青蛙唱歌，
逗逗蝸牛⋯
也找些魚兒喜歡的圓小粒青苔
丟入池塘，
看著魚兒游來游去樂此不疲。
寧靜的一個下午，
彷彿置身世界頂端！
那株芭蕉樹與我們一起成長茁壯，
直到有一天爸媽說我們要搬走了。
當時不懂得⋯
那段美好的時光
將永遠銘記於心。
憶起那簡單樸實的歲月，
想想人生的美好事物，
猶如洗去心靈的塵埃，
好整以暇，迎接新的一天。
Recalling the days of my childhood...
The first one that came to my mind is flowers in the vestibule garden, I sat there gazing at that spectacle - my mother smiling with pretty flora dress spinning in the garden.
The other impressions
are almost blurry.
I just remember that
my father was handsome,
his hands were so thick and strong.
And my mother
was very tender and beautiful.
There was a big black dog Ruby
in the front yard,
and the baby dog Mary at home.
It looked so cute when Mary was licking the milk
on the plate.
Gladiolus were often placed in
a beautiful vase in the living room.
Mom said that gladiolus is noble
but not expensive.
Mom liked to sew beautiful clothes...
I still remember that
“ Moon Peach Blossom ” was her
favorite song to sing while sewing.
In the meantime my younger brother
lined up the chairs
to match the sound of mom stepping
on the sewing machine,
it seems that the train is travelling fast...
Elder brothers and sisters were busy
with their exams all day
but I was playing carefree with my younger brother.
I also like to climb in the backyard.
Picked the strings of grapes on the bamboo rack.
Summer afternoon
I often run to an open space not far behind the house.
Watched crickets danced,
listened to frogs sing.
Played with snail...
Also found some small round moss that fish would like.
Threw it into the pond,
watched the fish swam around
and enjoyed it.
A quiet afternoon,
As if to be at the top of the world !
The banana tree grew and thrives with us.
Until one day my parents said we were going to move…
I didn't realize at that time,
it was a sweet memory
that will last forever.
Remember the simple years,
think about the beautiful things in life,
it’s like washing away the dust of the heart.
Take time to welcome a new day.
