January 21, 2008

Gongsun


There lived years ago the beautiful Gongsun,
Who, dancing with her dagger, drew from all four quarters
An audience like mountains lost among themselves.
Heaven and earth moved back and forth, following her motions,
Which were bright as when the Archer shot the nine suns down the sky
And rapid as angels before the wings of dragons.
She began like a thunderbolt, venting its anger,
And ended like the shining calm of rivers and the sea....
But vanished are those red lips and those pearly sleeves;
And none but this one pupil bears the perfume of her fame,
This beauty from Lingying, at the Town of the White God,
Dancing still and singing in the old blithe way.
And while we reply to each other's questions,
We sigh together, saddened by changes that have come.
There were eight thousand ladies in the late Emperor's court,
But none could dance the dagger-dance like Lady Gongsun.
...Fifty years have passed, like the turning of a palm;
Wind and dust, filling the world, obscure the Imperial House.
Instead of the Pear-Garden Players, who have blown by like a mist,
There are one or two girl-musicians now-trying to charm the cold Sun.
There are man-size trees by the Emperor's Golden Tomb
I seem to hear dead grasses rattling on the cliffs of Qutang.
...The song is done, the slow string and quick pipe have ceased.
At the height of joy, sorrow comes with the eastern moon rising.
And I, a poor old man, not knowing where to go,
Must harden my feet on the lone hills, toward sickness and despair.


Tang Shi III. 1. (64)
--
So word on the street is they won't have an ALT after me. Which almost certainly means I don't get a fourth year; I have been budgeted out. Laid off, despite the many non-native ALTs and a looming Elementary English curriculum. This is unofficial as of yet; I'll have to confirm the rumor. In the mean time, I am a poor old man, not knowing where to go.
Opportunity is scary.

5 comments:

  1. Hey, at least you're not me! But seriously, don't take it personally. A fourth year is never a guarantee for anyone, and if there's no new ALT, you can feel even less bad. JET ALTs are crazy expensive, and schools with budget problems are turning to the increasing number of resident foreigners and private ALTs.

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  2. There are a lot of opportunities for former JETs. Though I did enjoy living in the country for a few years, I don't regret moving to a big city and enjoying the conveniences of Japanese urban life.

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  3. quite right advice from the two of you, thanks.

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  4. Kanto is where it's at, dude!

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  5. So you want to stay in Japan? Do you have a visa? There's lots you can do. Why don't you become a translator?

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