Lambert Schlechter is an author, poet, and retired teacher in Luxembourg.
There was a holiday summer event in July. It was a very nice night garden party. I noticed that someone was looking toward us. It was him. (Among nearly 100 people, I was probably the only one from the Far East.)
I was a little tipsy. So, I talked to him in bad Luxembourgish, “What do you do in life?” “I was a school principal,” he answered. “Ah, I thought you are an artist.” “No… maybe, a little. A little.”
This was what I understood.
Two months later, I realized that he is a well-known author. After coming back from his daughter’s home, I opened the book ― the book I picked up from her bookshelf: one day I will write a poem (translated from French by Anne-Marie Reuter. Luxembourg: Black Fountain Press, 2018).
To my surprise, I found something very Japanese (Page 71). So, I would like to share his poem with you.
If you find a good doctor living nearby, you feel safe with her. If you encounter somebody knowledgeable like him, you feel rich in life.
O
after a break of thirty-nine months
I pick up again the sheets of Sei Shōnagon
and I leaf through them slowly, delighted, pensive
drinking two, three cups of coffee, smoking three,
four cigarettes
subtle notations of the year thousand
what she sees, what she thinks, what she feels
and the centuries are dissolving
a beautiful today of a thousand years
there is no other kingdom but ephemerity
Okinawa 2 (I love Okinawa)
I visited Okinawa last month. Okinawa hosts 74 % of the U.S. bases on 0.6 % of the land. Despite overwhelming opposition, the Japanese government is taking the lead in efforts to build a new U.S. military base in Henoko Bay, emphasizing the deterrence value of the U.S. bases in Japan. Our policy makers want to proceed with the construction "shuku shuku to (calmly and solemnly)."
It is shockingly mindless and undemocratic to disregard the Okinawans' will. Here are some of useful websites on anti-U.S. base acitivities and protests (see the Japanese version – four of eleven sites are in English).
辺野古（新基地阻止）基金
[[http:tamutamu2011.kuronowish.com/sosikikin.htm|Tamu Tamu @ Kuro no wish]]
Economics of U.S. base redevelopment sway Okinawa mindset
[[http:www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/17/national/politics-diplomacy/economics-u-s-base-redevelopment-sway-okinawa-mindset/#.VWg8NFIppf6|Japan Times Journal]]
Looking at Flaws in the Henoko Landfill Permit Process from the Standpoint of the Right to Self-determination
I know Anne-Marie Reuter. She showed interest in my book on teaching adults in Luxembourg, which encouraged me to finish it, and I'm working on this to get it published traditionally.
How was you presentation to the Luxembourgish government?
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Hi Sachie, I know Anne-Marie
Hi Sachie,
I know Anne-Marie Reuter. She showed interest in my book on teaching adults in Luxembourg, which encouraged me to finish it, and I'm working on this to get it published traditionally.
How was you presentation to the Luxembourgish government?
Best regards,
Rolade
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