Chapter 17: Only this path in Autumn

Author's Thumbnail — Laura Honda-Hasegawa

Translated by: Matthew Galgani

Published Nov. 9, 2011

I wrote "Aki (Autumn)" while I was an exchange student in Japan. Thirty five years later, it was translated into Japanese, and part 2 was added. And then, very recently, while I was worshiping at my church, a bible verse inspired me to write part three.

* * *

This path, covered with fallen leaves
A sparkling pond, jumping koi
The sweet sound of a flute in the distance
Under an old pine tree
Penning Love’s song

When was that day
When the pond turned murky
The pine tree fell
And the sound of the flute ceased
The song floated away with the wind

It’s a long journey
I walk step by step
Searching for the truth
Without end
Going beyond the world
What a long
Solitary pilgrimage
　　　(1972, in Niigata)

A long journey
No signposts in sight
Getting lost, losing patience
Shortcuts, detours, side streets
Still there are roads I must take
　　　(2007, in Marília)

At last, a signpost appears
“Come to me,
All you who are weary and burdened,
And I will give you rest.”*

With no doubt or confusion
I start walking straight ahead
No matter how far I walk, I don’t tire
Even running, I never stumble

With my eyes on the goal
I run in earnest
Guided down a straight path

What a gentle and gradual road!
　　　(2011, in Sao Paulo)

*Matthew 11:28

literature poetry

About this series

My grandfather immigrated to Brazil from Japan about 100 years ago, and I was born in Brazil. That is why I strive to become a ‘bridge’ between Brazil and Japan. I treasure the ‘Japan’ rooted deep in my heart, and I want to keep that part of me protected in my homeland of Brazil. This series was composed with those feelings in mind. (“Bom Dia” is “Good morning” in Portuguese)

About the Author

Laura Honda-Hasegawa @laurahh

Born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1947. Worked in the field of education until 2009. Since then, she has dedicated herself exclusively to literature, writing essays, short stories and novels, all from a Nikkei point of view.

She grew up listening to Japanese children's stories told by her mother. As a teenager, she read the monthly issue of Shojo Kurabu, a youth magazine for girls imported from Japan. She watched almost all of Ozu's films, developing a great admiration for Japanese culture all her life.

Updated May 2023

Episode 47 (Part 1) "I want to go home, but I can't"

Episode 46: Who is Rihana in the painting?

Episode 45: I'm glad Fujiko is Japanese!