诗意的隔离
——读瑞云疫情笔记《岁月静好（二）》
文/罗阳富 译/彧蛇
疫情，疫中有情！疫情中有真情、有大爱。
隔离，隔而不离！物理相隔，心理相通。 ——题记
有一位耄耋老人，因为疫情，一年中在中国和加国经历两次隔离。在加国单独隔离中，她把隔离生活过成一首诗，把自己活成一束光。
2020年7月的一天，瑞云从北京回到多伦多。走进老年公寓的那一刻，她意识到疫情严峻：公寓内外空空荡荡，往日喧嚣的公寓门口空无一人，昔日热闹的公寓大厅一片寂静。瑞云快步走进自己房间，开始为期14天的自我隔离生活：
大女儿早已在冰箱里储备好隔离期食物，二女儿、三女儿、胞弟家人和学生、亲友远隔千山万水，千叮咛万嘱咐。“想得家中夜深坐，还应说着远行人。”一人远行，众亲心牵。
老友们在微信和电话中送来关爱和笑声；大楼里兄弟姐妹们悄悄地在房门手把上挂上美食和水果；小区多次送来酒精、口罩、盒饭和甜蛋糕，政府发老人抗疫补助金……一位耄耋老人独自在老人公寓隔离，没有像小说《鲁滨逊漂流记》中的鲁滨逊那样孤独无依。相反，瑞云被亲情、友情和社会温情包裹得严严的、暖暖的。
上网课、打太极、练书法、写文章、诵诗文……瑞云在一方斗室里，把隔离生活安排得井井有条，收获成长的喜悦：太极拳多次获奖，文章获征文赛最高荣誉奖，入选多伦多头条；同时，瑞云回赠社会：参加网上元宵节诗歌朗诵，传递满满的正能量；身体力行，关爱他人，把自己活成了一束光，照亮社会，温暖他人。
心中有爱，笔下有诗。隔离笔记，记录了一位耆老在一座楼的诗意生活，也折射了一座城的魅力和光辉。
LOVE
岁月静好、人间皆安
Poetic isolation
Ruiyun’s epidemic dairy “The year is Quiet and Peaceful”
By Luo Yang Fu
Tr. Shadow Snake
Though there’s epidemic, there’s also love to cater.
There are feelings of true affection and the love is much greater!
Though there’s isolation, we’re separate but not apart!
The separation is only physical, the connection is from the heart!
——Preface
There is an elderly lady named Ruiyun who has gone through isolation twice during the years of pandemic, once in China and once when she came back to Canada. During her isolation in Canada, she turned her life of isolation into a poetic adventure and turned herself into a ray of sunshine.
One day in July 2020, Ruiyun` returned to Toronto from Beijing. The moment she entered the apartment for the seniors, she realized that the epidemic situation was very severe; there was no one inside or outside of her apartment building, the usually noisy entrance area of the apartment was empty, and the normally busy apartment hallway was dead silent. After realizing how bad it was, she quickly walked into her room and began her 14-day life of self-isolation.
Her elder daughter who is in Canada has already stored food in her refrigerator during the isolation period, while the second daughter, third daughter, her younger brother’s family, her students, relatives and friends are all far away across the ocean. There’s a saying: “If you want to be safe at home at night, you should talk to people who have travelled far away.” This means that even one person travels afar, all her family and friends will miss and care about her.
Sure enough, all her friends greeted her with love and laughter on WeChat and on the phone; her brothers and sisters in the same building quietly hang food and fruits on her doorknob; Hand sanitizers, facial masks, lunch boxes and sweet cakes were sent from the community many times to her, and the government provide the elderly with relief subsidies … As an elderly person who was isolated alone in her senior home, she was not as lonely as Robinson in the novel “Robinson Crusoe”. On the contrary, she was surrounded closely and warmly by family affection, friendship as well as social warmth.
Attend Internet classes, train in Tai Chi, practice calligraphy, writing articles, recite poems … She arranged her isolation life in a well-organized room and gained the joy of learning: She won many awards in Tai Chi, and an article won her the highest honor award in an essay contest and was selected as a Toronto headlines article; At the same time, Ruiyun gave back to the society: she participated in the online Lantern Festival poetry reading and delivered full positive energy; Practice, care for others, and turn herself into a ray of sunshine, illuminating the society and warming others.
With love in her heart, and poetics in her pen. This diary of isolation records the poetic life of an elderly person in a senior apartment in Toronto, and it is also a charming and brilliant reflection of this wonderful city.
岁月静好——耄耋老人疫情笔记•记在多伦多单独隔离
赵瑞云
2020年1月，加拿大没有疫情，我从多伦多回到北京，却遇新冠病毒来袭，全家隔离。心有感动，写了散文《岁月静好》【一】——耄耋老人疫情笔记•记在北京女儿家隔离。
2020年7月，北京新增病例已经归零，我却回到疫情严峻的多伦多，在老人公寓单独隔离。心有感动，又写了这篇散文。
（一）
我从北京回到多伦多那天,老人公寓门口大马路上静悄悄的，见不到一个行人，来往车辆也极稀少。公寓内外空空荡荡，锃亮的走廊里一个人影也没有。助人为乐的杨姐、李姐、史先生都去哪儿了？大厅里欢乐的舞者，歌者、太极拳的高手们怎么都不见踪影？耆老们的欢声笑语呢？现在除了寂静，还是寂静。
我感到疫情紧迫而犀利，迅速走进自己的斗室，开始14天的严格隔离。
风前残烛的耄耋老人，在异国与四百多耆老同住在一个屋檐下。可怕的新冠病毒对老人尤为凶狠。既不善家务，更不善烹饪的我，独自隔离在这个简陋的斗室，能平安生存、愉悦生活吗？
其实，我并没有这份忧伤，因为独处不是性格孤僻，而是精神的独立，目前更是抗疫的需要。独处的静谧，可以让人安静思考，自我调教，更可以安心做自己想做的事情。一个人一辈子始终是和自己相处，和自己相伴，内心若有暖暖的真情和深深的感恩，生活一定是充实的。
我的冰箱里鸡鸭鱼肉、蔬果，已经塞满，这是大女儿琳达的杰作。她的两个妹妹却在大洋东边翘首以待，喊着:”妈妈回家吧，想你了！”我也想你们啊，亲爱的女儿！
这哪里像在隔离啊，我的微信信息满满的，这是满满的牵挂与温暖！这姐儿仨现在像叮嘱小孩似的一再要老妈注意防疫，防病，防火，防水，防摔跤。我的一奶同胞弟弟也已是耄耋之人，且远在上海，但他全家人对我的牵挂，让我刻骨铭心。我的学生和亲朋好友隔着万水千山，可我们的心总是联系在一起。
我深知疫情残酷，而白发人的安危情系骨肉深情和真挚的友情。保护好自己，也就是保护好这份真情的欢乐与安宁。
疫情是凶险的，人与人却是亲近的。没有在门口见到，没有在走廊相遇的老友们在微信中、电话里送来最亲切的关爱和最美丽的笑声。
那天我听到一点声音，打开门发现房门的手把上挂着一个包，香脆的鲜肉月饼味儿扑鼻而来！走廊没有人影，我被感动了！接着我每天都发现房门手把上挂着食品：香甜的发糕、美味的烤麸、鲜美的海鲜面、还有苋菜和水果等等。这都是大楼里兄弟姐妹们的心意，他们在暗暗地照顾着被隔离的老友，我只剩感恩了。
小区也给大楼的老人们多次送来酒精、口罩、水果、盒饭、甜蛋糕。可是我们却不知道送东西人的姓名和商家是谁？在老人银行的月结单上有时会发现钱在增加，那是政府发给老人抗疫的补助金。善良的人们关怀着耆老，大家都在鼓励白发人在这场没有硝烟的血腥战争中坚强地挺住！
后花园里，茵茵绿枝在微风中轻轻荡漾；活泼的松鼠和小鸟在快乐地欢跳；大厅中的钢琴、各色各样的运动器材，一个个端坐着盼望见到白发人优雅的身影。
新冠病毒迅速蔓延，我们爱静阁小区成了重灾区。各种各样的信息纷至沓来，这对耆老又是严峻的冲击。而明智的耆老在微信中发声，指出有的信息是虚假的，有的恶意宣扬，有的张冠李戴，要求大家不要轻信流言蜚语。众耆老也真没有人慌了手脚，这就叫谣言止于智者！
大楼的耆老们更加小心，更加严格的防范着。即使大家都在努力，还是有一位老人不幸中招，她要在自己家里隔离。这给同住在一幢楼、用同样电梯上下的老人们带来纠结；接着活动大厅的大门又被贴上两条封条，这黄色的长长封条，像是把大厅门五花大绑着，看着吓人，也真有点恐怖。
严峻的疫情就在身边，恐惧、害怕无济于事；年迈人明白，人老心态不能老，力衰意志不能衰。事关生命的争夺，只有坚强面对，积极抵御，在严谨的防护中求生存。每家每户的白发人都努力搞好家庭和个人卫生；不串门，不聊天；不聚会、不聚餐；外出一定戴好口罩，保持社交两米的距离；回家一定勤洗手，勤洗脸；所有耆老都严于自律、严格宅家。
几个月过去了，中招老人已经病愈，大楼没有出现新增病例。这个结果皆大欢喜，人心齐泰山移啊！只要严格防范，老人公寓也可以成为耆老们幸福、康宁的安居。
（二）
更开心的是我们有了网课，许多耆老都乐在其中，纷纷选修自己喜欢的专题，参加网上各种有趣的活动。
我选了华咨处系列课程，有关电脑、手机的操作、加拿大社会面面观等专题。听了关于虐老的专题，我觉得新鲜、也很有现实意义，于是将提纲转发给了亲朋好友，希望现在和将来的耆老们都能自我保护。
有趣的是我应邀参加24式太极拳网上的录像比赛。这是武馆杜师傅和加拿大中国专业妇女协会在疫情嚣张的艰难时刻，要大家颐养性情、强身健体,共克时艰。我曾跟杜师傅学习太极拳，因宅家，好久没有运动了，师傅要我重拾太极拳参加比赛。
女儿琳达是太极拳爱好者，在太极拳比赛中多次夺得金牌和银牌，我请她来指导并帮助录像。母女俩马不停蹄从下午4点到晚上10点40分，连晚饭都没吃，一次次不停地练习。琳达怕我坚持不住：“妈妈，你坐下，我打给你看。”她边打边告诉我动作的要领。随后，我又练了许多遍，腿都颤抖了，想明日再录像。女儿却举起手机，温和却坚定地说：“妈妈坚持！再来一次！”胜利往往在最后的坚持中，琳达笑着为老妈一气呵成，我虽然疲惫，但心情却非常好。
比赛的结果，评委们把友谊赛泰山组的“二等奖”和友谊赛的“百合风韵”奖给了我。这是对耄耋人的鼓励，我深知自己拳艺不精，需要更加努力。
又一次，好友网上约我给2021年某征文活动写篇稿子。我一看，已临近截稿，心想算了。晚上睡觉时却又冒出“年夜饭”三个字。是啊，挥手间八十多餐年夜饭匆匆吃过，而其中最难忘的是坐在外婆身边多次吃过的苏州年夜饭。
外婆，我最亲爱的人！想起外婆，我突然潸然泪下，当年为救我，82岁的白发外婆焚着香、双膝跪在天井里冰凉的青石板上，求祖宗保佑病危的我；求过路神仙，把她的福禄寿都转给我……我控制不住自己眼泪，一骨碌下了床，打开电脑《美美的味 浓浓的情》从我胸中涌出……当我写到“我不寂寞，因为心里充满感恩。当年苏州年夜饭纯厚的情思，一直在我心中激荡。”天快亮了，我仿佛又依偎在外婆的怀里，甜甜的进人梦乡。
对这个急就篇，我反复修改后发了出去。几天后我接到通知，要我朗读最后一段并参加颁奖典礼。直到颁奖大会的最后一刻，我才知道这次征文组给了我“最高荣誉奖”。这是给耄耋人的最大鼓励，我受之有愧啊。
举办单位真是有心，在水晶奖牌上刻着老师赠予的一首七绝：
年至耄耋心至明，诗书文赋溯金陵；
一生跌宕为求索，犹有动人真性情。
他们还请著名书法家老师写下：“路路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索”，这是我一生最喜欢的座右铭。他正是指导我学篆书的恩师，我倍感亲切。
主持人亲自驱车50公里将这珍贵的水晶奖牌、全聚德的美味点心和裱好的墨宝先后两次送到我们老人公寓的大门口。
各位老师们对一个素昧平生、平凡而又年迈的老朽，给予这么大的关爱和勉励！真是难得。老师们却又如此周到、如此谦卑！在疫情猖獗的非常时期，这种真情给白发人以最大、最真挚的激励。这无私的真情绚丽而感人。
主持人老师临走时送我一颗西红柿苗，它像一株翠绿的小树，已经结了晶莹的小西红柿。现在，这健壮的小树已经结了60多个绿莹莹、亮晶晶的果实。它告诉我，有真诚、奋进的真情传递，即使疫情嚣张，却依然花果满枝。
这篇拙作后来在网上转载；还入选2021年2月18日多伦多头条，这都是疫情中善良的人们给耄耋老人真情的勉励。
在另一个网上元宵晚会上，我应邀朗诵了卞之琳写于1935年的现代诗《断章》：
你站在桥上看风景，看风景人在楼上看你。
明月装饰了你的窗子，你装饰了别人的梦。
这四行诗里，只有“风景”描写，却隐含“相对性”的哲理命题。就是说，世界万物都息息相关，相互依存，相互作用的。在抗击新冠病毒的地球村上日月同天、众志成城又是多么的重要。
在文社网上的迎春会上，我献上48个篆字作为“新年寄语”。
提起篆字，我曾写过一首小诗：
耄耋习字
耄耋老妪学篆字，跑到太古买宣纸；
再挑墨水加红泥，加元花了一百几。
肩背加上双手提，上下公交不容易；
膝盖有痛不在意，春风满面笑嘻嘻。
有人说我冒傻气，稀里糊涂忘年纪；
静坐散步看电视，逍遥自在多惬意。
疫情喧嚣关房里，酷暑寒冬苦自己；
弄文舞墨多磨砺，岁月匆匆和谁比？
年迈力衰我自知，与人无爭不攀比；
独居守心求静谧，群居守口护集体。
传承文化心欢喜，修身养性藏真谛；
横平竖直强心志，笔端增寿康宁递。
学篆书是一个偶然的机会，在北京贤婿王志见我的毛笔字横不平、竖不直，建议我学篆字，他还亲自给我指教。回到多伦多，又请书法老师指导我学篆。后因疫情我只能独自家中，没能继续聆听导师的教诲。宅在家里静静地写篆字，也是快乐的享受。
网课越来越丰富多彩，耆老们兴奋地跟着忙碌；网上传来新老朋友们美美的笑声、甜甜的歌声，这美妙的声音轻盈地在斗室中回荡。
现在，疫情正在退潮，多伦多也一天天向好，人心回归晴天。虽然耆老们仍在警惕变异病毒的凶险，但在我们老人公寓后花园的绿荫下已有白发人迈步的身影。
我站在凉台上，遥望蓝天白云，祈求岁月静好、人间皆安！
（2021年6月11日于多伦多老人公寓）
Days in Tranquility (2)
-A Back Glance at the Days of Self-isolation in Toronto of an Eighty-Year-Old
By Zhao Ruiyun
Canada, in January, 2020, was not plagued by the Covid-19, but I had to go back to Beijing, with which the pandemic was wreaking havoc. I was then home-isolated along with my family. “Days in Tranquility (1)” was written to record the touching moments in Beijing. Six months later, the reported active cases returned to zero, but for some reason I had to go to Toronto, where, this time, the virus was rampant, alas, I had to be home-isolated again in a Senior Citizens’ Apartment, and I felt again I need to write down something.
(1)
On the day back in Toronto from Beijing, I found myself on a deserted street-not a single pedestrian in sight but only sporadic vehicles whizzing by. As I went to the lobby of the apartment, I was greeted by no one, but the mute shining floor. Gone were the helpful Yang and Li sisters and gone was Mr. Shi; gone were the usual cheers and laughter. I was submerged in a sea of absolute stillness.
The pandemic was acute and menacing, and I hastened to my little room, where fourteen days of strict isolation awaited me. An eighty-year-old elderly, whose life was like a flickering candle light, now was sharing the same building with more than four hundred of her peers, facing the merciless pandemic. Could I survive? And be healthy enough to enjoy the rest of my life? God knows I had never been any good at tiding rooms or cooking. Luckily, my worries did not ferment into anything like sadness, rather I realized solidarity did not necessarily mean eccentricity of any degree, but was the independence of the soul, as well as the requirement of each citizen in this crucial fight against the virus. Moreover, tranquility can make one think, reconcile with himself, and do things he really yearns. After all, a person’s life is mostly spent with the company of himself only, and as long as there is warmth and gratitude in his heart, he could feel his life is fulfilled.
The warmth first came from my fridge, which was stuffed with fish, chicken, duck, meat, vegetables and fruits-they were the excellent work of my eldest daughter, Linda. Far on the other side of the Pacific ocean, her two sisters often texted messages to tell me how much they missed me, and I always responded, “Yes, my daughters, I miss you too.” It was not isolation-it was care and warmth. The three girls’ messages preempted my WeChat, cautioning me this and that, as if I were a baby. Mum, watch your steps, don’t catch a cold, mind the slippery floor, be careful with fire, close the taps, etc, etc. Back in Shanghai, my younger brother, also over eighty, cared for me so much that he and his family’s love was completely unforgettable. I felt I had never been far from my students and friends, despite the numerous mountains and vast oceans between us. As for my part, I knew what’s left to do was to protect myself-the only way to cherish the blessings of family love and friendship, because I knew my safety meant a lot to my daughters and friends.
I knew it through WeChat and phones. The menacing pandemic stopped us from seeing each other at the doors or in the lobbies, but it could do nothing about the caring words in WeChat messages and the charming laughter via the phone, or about some unexpected blessings. One day, I heard something at the door. When I opened it, I found on the knob was a parcel, through which the aroma of fresh meat moon-cake wafted towards me! I thrust out my head in the corridor to see who had delivered it to me, but there was no one. This little favor had melted my heart! I spent each of the following days finding delicacies on the doorknob-sweet steamed sponge cake, baked gluten, seafood-flavored instant noodles, pickled amaranth and fruits, and you name it. These were trickles of love from people in the very same building, out of their silent best wishes for an elderly, leaving me nothing else to do but write down my gratitude here.
The property staff in my district often sent us necessities, such as alcohol disinfectant spray, masks, fruits, packed meals and sweet cakes. But I could neither pin down who they were or tell the names of the providers. At the end of each month, the elderly would find there was some extra money on their monthly statements- it was pandemic subsidy from the government for the elderly. It was not just money, it was a token of love from the kind to encourage the grey-haired to win this smokeless but bloody war against the pandemic.
I also knew that back in the garden, the verdant twigs were swaying in the breeze and the lively squirrels and birds were scampering on the ground or between branches. Along with the silent piano in the lounge, the sports facilities, they were quietly waiting for the return of the elegant elderly. However, the Covid 19 was obnoxiously importunate and soon our district became the hardest hit area. Worst of all, all sorts of news streamed in on the screen, bringing another wave of shock to the seniors. Some wise ones pointed out some of the news were fake, some had been exaggerated versions of the true story and some were wrong accusations because people were hanging the wrong blame on our district. They appealed to others not to believe a word of the make-believe. As a result, none of the elderly was extremely panicked, and this was what we often say “Rumors come to a halt before a wise ear”.
Since then, the elderly became much more cautious in their prevention endeavors. Still unfortunately, an old lady fell victim to the virus and had to accept medical observation at home. Her case had once again startled many, especially those who were in her building, sharing the same lift. Two long yellow caution tapes were added to the original ones on the public lounge gate, as if the gate were the most notorious criminal captured on the spot. It was not just a bit terrifying, but very, very terrifying.
The pandemic loomed right before us, but fear or fuss did not help. The elderly knew more than anyone else that an old guy should not have an old mind, and a weak body should not have a weak will. In the threat of let-go of life, we have to put up the toughest struggle and only an active and meticulous defense procedure can secure our survival. The white-crowned people in every home tried their best to keep their homes and themselves clean; no drop-in, no chat, no party, no dining together; mask-on outings, two-meter social distance; washing hands and face upon each return from public places; be self-disciplined and good stay-at-homes.
Several months later, the old lady recovered and in the building there was no new confirmed case reported. It seemed all’s well that ends well. A united effort can move mountains! All proved that strict prevention activities work, and an elder’s apartment could become an Elysian land for us.
What delighted us more was we were offered on-line courses, which attracted many of us. We rushed to opt for those subjects and activities in which we were interested. I enrolled in programs organized by CICS, on basic computer skills, cellphone apps, programs for new immigrants and the community. I learned in the special program about the maltreatment of the elders, and I thought it was an unknown aspect of this society but very instructive, so I forwarded the outline to my friends, hoping the elderly would learn to protect themselves.
During this period, I was invited to participate in an online video contest of 24-Move Yang Style Tai Chi, an event co-organized by Master Du of a martial arts group and CPWC (Chinese Professional Women of Canada). It was organized for the elders because we were confined to our rooms, where exercise may not be adequate, and we need to entertain ourselves. Since I had learned Tai Chi with Master Du, I was invited.
My daughter Linda is a fan of Tai Chi, and she had won many gold and silver medals. I asked her to come to help with the video. The two of us practiced non-stop from 4 pm to 10: 40pm , completely forgetting our dinner. Linda was afraid the drilling might tire me out, she then said, “Mum, sit down and watch me doing it.” Many times she showed me the moves and explained them. I rehearsed many times as well until my legs trembled and wanted to have the video made the next day. But my daughter encouraged me again, she said, “Mum, you can do it, just try one more time.” This time it worked – I played all the moves non-stop, so you see triumph comes always at the last minute. It was tiresome indeed, but I was very happy. Finally, the judges awarded me the second prize of the Mount Tai team and Lilac Manner Prize in the Friendly Match. Of course, I know the prizes were not for my excellent performance in the contest, but encouragement and respect for an elderly.
On another occasion, a good friend asked me to write something for the Eve of Spring Festival writing competition. It was near the entry deadline and I thought perhaps I’d better give it up. Yet the idea of a Spring Festival grand dinner kept popping up in my mind. Eighty such grand dinners had fleeted away from me, and the most unforgettable ones were spent with my grandma beside me. Oh, how much I missed my grandma! The mere thought of her caused my eyes to trim with tears. I could distinctly tell how she knelt on the icy cold bluestone courtyard, praying to all passing deities for my recovery from a serious illness. She piously burned the incense and muttered she would like to give all her rest blessed days to me…I couldn’t sleep any more-I was so eager to pour out my sentiments in an essay “Delicious Food, Delicious Love”. When I typed in the sentence, “I am not lonely, because gratitude drives loneliness away. My heart is always stirred by the strong family feelings at the dining tables in Suzhou”, it had dawned and I fell into a sweet sleep as if I were still nestling in the arms of my grandma.
This was really an impromptu piece, and I sent it to my friend after several drafts. Luckily several days later, they asked me to read the last part of it on the award ceremony. It was not until the last moment of the ceremony that I realized that the organizer had presented me the “highest honor”. I felt much flattered and I took it as their special encouragement.
The organizer was so considerate that they asked the chairperson to compose and inscribe a seven-character quatrain on the crystal award, it reads,
An elderly with a clear mind, a pen with her love for hometown,
She’s sailed through her life’s ups and downs-still loving in her snow-white crown.
A calligrapher from the event organizer wrote down a famous poetic line for me, “The path ahead of me is long and hard; for truth I’ll duly pursue up and down”-my favorite motto. He was my tutor in the seal script of Chinese calligraphy, and his piece warmed me. This precious award and the calligraphy work, along with delicious cakes from a restaurant were sent to me by the event hostess, who drove to my apartment twice from 50 km away. What moved me most was that I had never known any of the people in this organization, but they had recognized my work and showered me, an ordinary elderly, with such care and encouragement. The pandemic was cold and raking its way without check, but the affection people gave me had been most sincere and unselfish, as beautiful as the fireworks.
The hostess also gave me a personal gift before she left. It was a verdure small tomato tree, with over sixty crystal tomatoes. These shiny green elves whispered to me that as long as I was tough like the tree, believing in sincerity and strife, my efforts against the pandemic would come to fruition.
Later this essay was reproduced by some websites, and even grabbed the headline of Toronto Chinese Headline News Media.
Another time, people had shown their care on the Online Lantern Festival, when I was invited to recite the modern poem “A Part of the Picture” by Bian Zhilin in 1935.
On the bridge you stand, enjoying the view,
But for the sightseer upstairs, you are the sight.
The moon has adorned your panes,
But you have adorned others’ dream.
These four lines were not just about landscape really, but about the aged philosophical notion of “relativity” that all things are related in one way or another. When the Covid-19 ferociously attacks our global village, the most important things is that we begin to realize what it means by “sharing the same sky” and “a united will is as strong as a wall”.
On another occasion, at the Spring Festival Eve of Literature Association, I sent my new year wishes in 48 Chinese seal script calligraphy.
By the way, on mentioning the seal script, I had written a short poem (a doggerel indeed) in this style of handwriting, and I entitled it “An Eighty-Year-Old Learns Her Seal Writing.”
When an eighty-year-old takes to seal script-
In Taigu store, she gets her well equipped;
On paper, ink and vermilion seal pastes-
A hundred Canadian dollars she wastes.
She carries them on her back, in her palms,
And she finds it hard to embark on trams.
But she takes no heed to the ache on knees,
Smile takes that away and it’s all she needs.
Some say, “Look, how is her folly so keen-
She must’ve forgotten how old she has been.
I’d rather take a stroll or watch TV,
Or I’d enjoy myself and be carefree.”
Others say, “Confined life is hard enough,
Why should we add burden and make life tough?
Writing and calligraphy are boring,
And whom are we elderly rivaling?”
Aged I am, I know, and weak knees I have,
So I’m rivaling none and it’s my salve-
Easing all my aches and soothing my mood-
A recipe for all in solitude.
Besides, there is so much culture in it,
Nourishing our mind and keeping us fit.
In horizontal and vertical strokes,
We grow to be healthy and strong old folks.
I took on seal script writing by chance. My good son-in-law in Beijing saw that I could not write straight strokes, neither the horizontal ones nor the vertical ones, so he suggested I write the seal script and he himself instructed me at the beginning. When I returned to Toronto, I asked teacher Shi Fu to further instruct me. Later when I was cornered by the pandemic at home, I could no longer follow Mr. Shi, but I could quietly and happily practice handwriting in this room.
As for the other elderly, they all busily and happily immersed themselves in all sorts of online classes. Each day, via the WeChat, the heartfelt laughter and melodious songs of the friends old and new floated out and lingered in my little room.
At present, it seems that the main thrust of the pandemic has passed and Toronto is recovering, with each citizen’ heart growing sunnier day by day. Though the threat of mutant viruses is hanging above our heads, some elderly have started to stroll in the park.
Now, I’m standing on the terrace, watching the blue sky and drifting clouds. May this tranquility perpetuate and may all be healthy and happy!
TORONTO BUSINESS CLUB
本期编委风采
LANGDUZHEHAIWAIJINGYING
1.本期策划/责任编辑：程炯
2.英语正文译：吴春晓（兰格格）
3.执行编辑：真子
4.中文诵读：晓晨飞杨
5.英文诵读：Salina
6.卷首语：罗阳富
7.策划总监、英语责编：彧蛇
《朗读者——海外精英》编委
主办单位
加拿大国际华人作家协会
合办单位
加拿大中国文学研究社
诗情太平洋国际文学社
团体名誉主席团
加拿大华人同乡会联合总会会长：韩加良
多伦多华人团体联合总会主席：翁国宁
加拿大中国商会团体联盟主席：王海澄
加拿大大西洋文化艺术交流协会会长：于琮章
加中海外交流協会会長：陸炳雄
加拿大多元文化民间艺术协会会长：沈谢元
加拿大多伦多艺空间文创中心总监：刘向平
加拿大中国专业妇女协会会长：梁梅英
加拿大加中经贸文化交流协会会长：周建成
加中地产投资总商会会长：孙志峰
北美华人健康协会会长：王培忠
加拿大国际摄影艺术交流协会/北美手机摄影协会/几何艺术中心主席：琥珀
加拿大国际健康养老产业联盟主席：程炯
企业名誉主席团
加雄集团董事长：陆炳雄
传媒名誉主席团
华人头条多伦多通讯董事长：彭良健
环球华语融媒体台长：王瑞军、向希拉
枫华传媒集团总裁：梁晓敏
名誉顾问
中国作协会员，世界华文微型小说研究会会长：凌鼎年
编委
总策划：程炯
总编辑：彧蛇
主编：曼都拉、尚佳莉、真子
责任编辑：何根祥、刘俊民、铁木尔、朗文玲
英译指导：伊人在岸、彧蛇
英文翻译：彧蛇、伊人在岸、朗文玲、尚佳莉、鲁四彬、兰格格、悠悠玫瑰、赵宜忠John
朗读指导：陈阳、Salina
朗读编委：陈阳、Salina、楚楚、尔凡、玲子、玉华、叙含、希希、清儿
排版编辑：秋水伊人、夢緑烟蘿、庄朝兰
主要执行编辑：彧蛇、程炯、曼都拉、何根祥、庄朝兰、姜尼、伊人在岸、铁木尔、刘俊民、孙瑞祥、玉华、由之、尚佳莉、黄海燕、朗文玲
摄影编辑：郭醒奇
协办单位团
美洲文化之声国际传媒网
活水北读书会
加拿大海河文学社
RECITER: ELITES OF OVERSEAS EDITORIAL BOARD
Organized by:
· International Chinese Writers Association of Canada (ICWAC)
Jointly-organized by：
· Canada Chinese Alumni Literature Research Society
· Pacific Literature Association
Honorary Presidium of Social Organizations:
· President, Council of Newcomer Organizations: Edward Han
· Chairman, The Confederation of Chinese Canadian Organizations: Guo Ning Weng
· Chairman, Federation of Canadian Chinese Chamber of Commerce: Harris Wang
· President, Atlantic Culture and Arts Exchange Association: Charlie Yu
· President, Canada China Overseas Exchanges Association: Tony Luk
· President, Multicultural & Folk Arts Association of Canada: Jennifer Shen
· Director, Toronto Art Creations Centre of Canada: Xiangping Liu
· President, Chinese Professional Women of Canada: Angela Liang
· President, Canada-China Economy Trade & Culture Exchange Promotion Alliance: Ted Zhou
· President, Canada-China Realty Professional Association: Steven Sun
· President, Centre for New Immigrant Well-being: Pei Zhong Wang
· Chairman, Canada International Photographic Art Exchange Association / North America Mobile Photography Association / Geometry Art Center: Hooper Chen
· Chairman, Canada International Health & Culture Education Industrial Alliance: Jiong Cheng
Honorary Presidium of Entreprises:
· President, Canhome Group of Companies: Tony Luk
Honorary Presidium of Media:
· Chairman, Chinese Headline Toronto New Media: Liangjian Peng
· Directors, Global Chinese Convergence Media: Ruijun Wang, Cela Xiang
· CEO, Fenghua Media Group Inc.: Xiaomin Liang
Honorary Advisor：
· President of the World Chinese Micro-fiction Research Association: Ding Nian Ling
Editorial Committee:
· Producer: Jiong Cheng
· Editor-In-Chief: Shadow Snake
· Editor: Mandula，Jia Li Shang，Zhen Zi
· Managing Editors: Gen He, Junmin Liu, Timur ci Tartar, Wendy Lang
· Translation Editors: Yiren, Shadow Snake, Wendy Lang, Jia Li Shang，John Zhao, Sibin Lu, John Zhao, Chunxiao Wu, Leanne Li
· Recitation Editors: Chen Yang, Salina, Helen, Er Fan, Ling, Erin Liu, Jane, Sophie, Qing
· Layout and Design Editors: Qiushui Yiren, Menglv Yanluo, Cassie Zhuang
· Executive Editors: Shadow Snake, Jiong Cheng, Gen He, Mandula, Cassie Zhuang, Johnny, Yiren, Timur ci Tartar, Junmin Liu, Jack Sun, Erin Liu, Andy Zhao, Jiali Shang, Christina, Wendy Lang
· Photography Editor：Frank Guo
Co-organized by:
· Sound of USA
· Living Water North Reading Group
· Tianjin Authors Association of Canada
《美洲文化之声》简介
《美洲文化之声》国际传媒网（Sound of USA）成立于2016年，是美国政府批准的综合网络平台，主要从事华语文学作品的交流推广。目前已与Google、百度、Youku、Youtube 等搜索引擎联网，凡在这里发表的作品均可同时在以上网站搜索阅读。我们致力于弘扬中华传统文化，同时提倡文学创作的思想性和唯美主义风格，为世界各地的华语文学作品交流尽一份微博之力。同时，美洲文化之声俱乐部也正式成立，俱乐部团结了众多的海内外知名诗人、作家和评论家，正在形成华语世界高端文学沙龙。不分国籍和地区、不分流派，相互交流学习，共同为华语文学的发展效力。“传播中华优秀文化、倾听世界美好声音”，这是我们美好的追求和不可推卸的责任。
总编：韩舸友
副总编：李学、冷观、Jinwen Han
编委：韩舸友、李学、jinwen han、冷观、王喆、王柯、阮小丽
本期编辑：王喆