Growing up, it was a running joke in my family that my grandfather sometimes seemed to be in a world of his own. For instance, he would typically walk 10 paces behind my family because he would make frequent stops to look at… well anything. Or, when visiting a sight such as a garden or landmark, my grandfather would always be the last to leave, spending extra time taking in the sight. I can actually recall times (and I use the plural form of the word because this happened on more than one occasion) where my family had to search for my grandfather because he had lingered so far behind us that we lost each other. Because of my grandfather’s penchant for taking his time, we lovingly used to refer to him as a “putzer,” which means a person who wastes time. He never minded the family’s jeers, though, and true to his sense of humor, he would laugh at our jokes.
As a young child, I attributed my grandfather’s slowness to old age. As I grew older, I came to conclude that my grandfather had simply mastered the enjoyment of life and that his secret was to take everything slow. Recently, though, I have come to realize that these were incorrect, or at least incomplete analyses. Upon my grandfather’s passing, I read several of his poems that had been translated into English. And, it struck me how such simple words could create immensely complex mental images. It was then that I realized that my grandfather was not only a master of writing, but that he was also a master of observation. Looking back, whenever my
grandfather lingered behind the family, he wore the same facial expression. His demeanor was studious – almost like he was studying a book. But, unlike someone studying for an exam, there was a strange sense of clam and pure enjoyment. I now realize the reasoning for my grandfather’s incessantly slow pace. He was studying his surroundings.
It’s unfortunate that I have only now come to appreciate this after my grandfather’s passing, but late is better than never. In today’s hectic world that is filled with appointments, emails, cell phones, and obligations, I think that we can all learn something from my grandfather’s actions. We all have something to gain by taking the time to truly appreciate our surroundings. The world really is an interesting place, and its contents can inspire if we simply take the time to look. My grandfather recognized this, and by mastering the art of observation, he was able to publish words that have inspired generations of writers and poets across the world.
So, the joke is actually on me and my family. My grandfather was never a “putzer” or someone who simply lingered behind. Instead, he mastering a talent few of us have: the true ability to observe. Because he took the time to appreciate what this world has to offer–both good and bad–his name will always carry on through his words.
Signed,
Benjamin Keller (grandson in Defiance, Ohio, U.S.A.)
在成長過程中，我們家裡流行的趣事，就是祖父有時好像活在他自己的世界裡。例如，他走路通常落後家人十步，因為他常停下來查看──，哦，每一件事。去參觀一個景點，例如公園、地標，祖父總是最後一個離開，他利用額外的時間瀏覽景觀。我現在都記得好多次（我使用複數是因為發生超過一次），家人必須去尋找祖父，因為他落後太遠了，我們彼此找不到。祖父偏愛悠哉游哉，我們喜愛慣用「卜哲」（putzer；按德文意為『居住湖邊的人』）來形容他，意思是浪費時間的人。他從不介意家人的戲謔，而且秉持一向的幽默感，我們的玩笑也會引起他的笑懷。
作為一個年輕孩子，我把祖父的遲緩歸因於年老。當我逐漸長大，我開始推斷祖父只是擅於享受人生，他的秘方就是凡事慢慢來。最近，我理解到這不正確，或者至少是不完整的分析。祖父往生，我閱讀一些他的詩作的英譯本。這讓我感受到如此簡單的文字，竟然可創造無限複雜的心靈意象。於是我瞭解祖父不只是寫作大師，同時也是觀察的大師。追溯往昔，每當祖父在家人後面緩緩而行，他都帶著同樣的表情。他舉止專心──幾乎像是正在閱讀一本書。但不像某些人為考試而讀書，那是一種靜謐的奇異感覺與純粹的享受。我現在知道祖父持續放慢腳步的原因。他正在閱讀周遭環境。
遺憾的是，祖父往生後，我現在才開始欣賞這些，但晚總比沒有好。在今天這個充滿約會、電子郵件、手機、契約的忙亂時代裡，我想我們都可以從祖父的行為中學到一些東西。只要肯花時間真誠地欣賞周遭環境，我們都會有所收穫。世界確實是個有趣的地方，其內涵會啟發靈感，只要我們從容觀察。祖父瞭解這一點，精通觀察的藝術，他能夠出版文字，感動全世界各世代的作家與詩人。
因此，這個玩笑實際上是針對我和我的家人。祖父絕不會是個「卜哲」（putzer）或是那種在後面緩步徘徊的人。相反的，他擅長的才幹我們當中很少人具備：真實的觀察能力。他從容地欣賞這個世界所賞賜的──好的與壞的──他的名字將透過其話語永遠流傳。
敬記於美國俄亥俄州德芙安斯
* 感謝中央研究院歐美研究所紀元文教授給予此譯文諸多指導與修正，特此致謝。
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