プリントオンデマンド

Humanity, have you forgotten your "heart"?

(著) 吉田宏信

作品詳細

"People say that they live happily far away from the mountains.
Ah, I went to look with the crowd, and with tears came back.
People say that they live happily farther in the mountains."

I memorized this poem in elementary school. I think I learned it in my Japanese language class. I have no confidence in my memory, but it went roughly like this. When we were children, after the World War, the people of the world were in deep sorrow. Nations were moving toward recovery, licking the scars left by the war. Japan was beginning to build a new country, healing after the loss of defeat. At that time, the song "Blue Mountains" was popular in the streets. It was a song burning with hope.

♪ Young, bright voices are singing,
Snow slides disappear, and flowers are blooming.
Blue mountains and blossoms,
The ends of the sky call our dreams today.

People were genuinely remorseful about the war. They were trying to grasp the value of peace and to feel hopeful about the future. They were looking for an "ideal home" where everyone could enjoy their lives. As an elementary school student, I didn't know much about Karl Busse or the meaning of his poems, but the verses became deeply engraved in my heart.

"People say that they live happily far away from the mountains.
Ah, I went to look with the crowd, and with tears came back."

I walked far over fields, over mountains, and to the end of the earth in search of the land where "happiness" lives. However, no matter where I looked, on feet stiff as sticks, or how hard I searched, I couldn't find the utopia where "fortune" lives. I was disappointed and returned to my friend. Then, again, the voice of the streets could be heard from a distance.

"People say that they live happily farther in the mountains."

I don't think humans should give up searching because they can't find utopia. No matter where you are, you have to continue the search. Never give up. If we give up, it will be catastrophic for humanity. And I think, utopia is not far but near us. The voice of God tells us:

"Humans... live in a spirit of brotherhood! That is why I have given you "reason" and "conscience"...."