Kamakura

On May 30, 1966, according to the note I wrote at the time, "I went to Kamakura by train this morning to see the shrines, Great Buddha & countryside.  ¥100 for ticket on train, which took about one half hour."

At Kamakura there is a lovely pond in the middle of a very beautiful park or garden.  After walking around the pond and thoroughly enjoying the quiet beauty of this picturesque place for a while, I was impressed to start writing the following description.  I ended up finishing it on the train ride back to Yokosuka later that same day.  I still recall sitting quietly glancing out of the train window at the passing countryside as I wrote.  (jad)

       

           

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At Kamakura, by the temple, where the different hues of green sweep smoothly but rapidly down the hillsides to the pond with a small island and a few green trees and green bushes and a small building of Japanese architecture; And there is a small red bridge in the form of an arch reaching across to the island.

Everything is filled with life and even something more.  Even the pond is filled with life; for even though it is a small, murky pond, you can see a small motion just under the surface, which turns into a circular ripple as the turtle sticks his head through the surface for a breath of the pleasantly warm air.

And as you watch, the turtle pulls his head just below the surface and his shadowy form moves slowly but surely on through the pond, and between the few Lillie pads which lay smoothly on the surface.

Then, a sudden motion off to the right draws your attention to a big golden carp, which has jumped from the water after something to eat, and you wonder just how much it takes to fill up a fish that size, or if he even knows what it means to be full as you know it after a long slow, relaxed evening meal.

Suddenly you are aware of the presence of some others.  And as you glance at them, you know that they are lovers.  Because, as he talks and walks, she follows his every movement and listens to his every word, and is all of the time looking up into his eyes with all of the trust and admiration which is possible for anyone to imagine.  And the young lovers walk on the pond's edge hand in hand, and he whispers something to her and she smiles and tightens her grip on his arm.  They stop and look at the pond together and throw a small pebble into the water, and they watch the ripples spread out on the smooth surface in ever widening circles, content to be able to admire life together.

And as you watch the ripples move outward, they push under the shiny Lillie pads, and push against the back of the turtle's head as he comes up for yet another bite of life-giving air, and the ripples meet the ripples caused by the carp coming up after some food.

A small water spider scoots off along the pond's surface, trying to outrun the ripples, but ends up ridding over the ripples as they catch up to him and pass by him, and he goes on searching for his food and continuing his existence.

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