Vast Waters

Snow Song*

Last evening, flying snowflakes cast shadows on lace curtains.
Now the sun shines everywhere, the ground without blemish.
Pure and bright, subtle fragrance, form a pretty sight.
As glorious as standing in a faerie land.
Trees on fire, silver flowers, beauties far and wide,** 
Flitting birds, noiseless, like colorful clouds at sunset.
Earthly complicated world affairs washed clean,
Pure heart, peacefully pass the years of life.

*In 1983, it snowed a lot and many storms throughout the winter.
**tree on fire, flowers are silver = very pretty scene

From Chapter 8: Deep Marsh

I thought I will retire in Taiwan but somehow I was sent to Japan again. At first I stayed in a hotel, later on my friends helped me find a rental. The street I lived on was called Deep Marsh. My landlord was a retired Japanese naval general. After he retired from the navy, he rented out his room. The hostess was a very good housekeeper and wife. Everywhere it was neat and tidy and pretty. They had a son and daughter. Their son worked in a factory and left the house early and came home late. The daughter is married with her own family, she visits her parents very often.

Looking at Okinawa Island from faraway

Pilot points out, there's old Okinawa.
Several mountain ranges, floating on the ocean.
Looking west, smoke and waves, endless green.
Where sky and water meet, divine homeland.

I flew from Taiwan to Japan, the pilot announced, we're flying over Okinawa, and he could see China mainland.