JAPAN: "Being Elderly Is Simply Accepting One's Wrinkled Reflection In a Mirror"

. NEW YORK, NY / Global Action on Aging / July 24, 2009 Susanne Paul, Editor Global Action on Aging Newsletter JAPAN Japanese poet Nanao Sakaki uses his mirror to define “age.” To him, being elderly is simply accepting one’s wrinkled reflection in a mirror, accepting the physical, while not considering the role of memory and imagination in the aging process. Sakaki decides to “break the mirror” rather than resign himself to old age. His poem of that title refutes what the world considers to be “old,” showing that older people have both right and reason to preserve their youth, if only in their imagination. Break the Mirror Nanao Sakaki 1987 In the morning After taking cold shower -----What a mistake----- I look in the mirror. There, a funny guy, Grey hair, white beard, wrinkled skin, -----What a pity----- Poor, dirty, old man! He is not me, absolutely not. Land and life Fishing in the ocean Sleeping in the desert with stars Building a shelter in mountains Farming the ancient way Singing with coyotes Singing against nuclear war— I’ll never be tired of life. Now I’m seventeen years old, Very charming young man. I sit down quietly in lotus position, Meditating, meditating for nothing. Suddenly a voice comes to me: “To stay young, To save the world, Break the mirror.” Nanao Sakaki Seniors World Chronicle Editor Ravi Chawla found Break the Mirror on www.healingstory.org Black & White Photo found at Interview with Nanao Sakaki, poet and godfather of Japanese Hippies Here is what "Art Predator" Gwendolyn Alley wrote on December 27, 2008 I love this poem, “Break the Mirror” by Nanao Sakaki, from his book of the same name published in 1996 and translated by his friend Gary Snyder. This poem inspires me every time I read it, moves me so much I put it on the syllabus of classes I teach, as much to inspire me daily as for my students. We even read it aloud the first day of class. I remember hearing Nanao read at the Taos Poetry Circus. I wasn’t familiar with his work, and looked slightly askance as the older Japanese gentleman took the stage. His poetry immediately wowed me – its simplicity, its vigor, its connectivity of outside to within. Later that night at an after party, we were cooking up pasta and frying up two trout my friends the Fish Boy Poets Spam and Scott Vetsch had caught for me. Nanao was wandering around, sad faced–the party was full of sweet desserts and he hadn’t wanted to eat dinner before the reading. So I shared one of my two trout which Scott and Spam shared with me and we new friends smiled over them. He was so gracious and grateful. We quickly ate the fish and we were happy. This photo of Nanao is from a panel discussion at the Taos Poetry Circus he participated in that year. Anne MacNaughton long time teacher, poet, and organizer of the Taos Poetry Circus, sent me this email the other day: Hi all, Sad news. Nanao Sakaki passed away in Japan on Monday. Such a soul will not soon be seen again. “Congratulations!” to Nanao, as he says should be given to all who move on; and condolences to those of us who remain. Please pass the word, and post it. -a Nanao Sakaki was born New Year’s Day 1923; he died Monday December 22, 2008 at the age of 85, almost 86. Here are details from his friend Gary Snyder. He lived a long full life of art, poetry, sculpture, reflection. He had a wonderful smile, full of love. I searched on-line for video but came up short; however, Minor Heron Press has sold copies of Taos Poetry Circus performances and panels and they likely have something for sale. Here’s Rich Forster’s memories of Nanao at Taos.[rc] Thanks Susanne Paul for the Break The Mirror inspiration to discover Nanao Sakaki Ravi Chawla