SUMMER LOTUS

…… my interpretation

15/12/2025. 4 min read

author at Eikando, Kyoto 2014, autumn

春有百花

秋有月

夏有凉风

冬有雪

若无闲事挂心头

便是人间好时节

It is translated as;

In Spring, there are flowers

In Autumn, there is the moon

In Summer, there is the cool breeze

In Winter, there is snow.

If you have no worries on your mind 

Then it is the good time of the year

This is a simple, verse poem written by a monk named Huikai during the Southern Song Dynasty.

It does not merely describes the classic image of each season. To me, this poem belies a very important message.

It attests to the beauty of the perennial four seasons that surround us. Each season has its immense joys and benefits.

Even if it is Summer all year round, ravel in the wonder of this season fully. Some countries are fortunate to have four seasons.

In Spring, everything is refreshed from the rebirth of nature. From a chilly winter, fresh flowers bloom,  the gentle air rejuvenates, and the new produce of Sprng marks a vibrant change of mood and activities. 

A new beginning of life, a fresh outlook, and an ardent aim to achieve for the year.

Summer marches in with longer daylight hours and a healthy dose of Vitamin D to strengthen our bones.

It’s a delight to dress light, take in the breeze and explore more rigorously.

Walk in the verdant and vibrant shades of green, empowered and rejuvenated by sun bathing and the gentler waves of the sea. 

Autumn paints its way in gradually as the leaves turn color into a mix of yellow, orange,  brown, and even gold, creating a riot of colors. 

It is at this stage that I feel sedated, and relaxed, accepting change that slowly sweeps over me, a year older soon, a year wiser, a year stronger.

In a cosy, cooler state, I can learn to let go of any uneasiness and fuss and look forward to Winter, which heralds a dramatic change.

Winter,  this is a time when the air is clearer , the sky is infinitely bluer and the space seemingly broader from the white sparkling landscape.

Winter is a time of reflection, as nights are long and thoughts linger.

It is a time to build resilience for even in the frosty cold, living still goes on. It is a time of exhilaration when one feasts on warm food and drinks in contrast to the dastardly chill outside. But it is a season of high festivities as it marks X’mas day  to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and the coming of a New Year.

Given the four seasons or even only a summer season in the tropics,  it is time of joy, beauty and hope. Even abundance.

In the last two lines of his poem, I interpret as;

If one is able to cast away worries that arise from self or of the world,  then every season and its moments are the best time of life.

Since our mind is ours to control, we can choose to view worries as unnecessary or solvable or fully accept their fate. They would then have lost their sting.

Let’s bask in the glory of each season. They come around only once a year and they offer opportunities to do what you may not be able to do during other seasons.

We should then enjoy every moment of our blessed life in the four seasons.

Then, what is there to worry?

10/12/2025. Poetry 1 min read

It all happened in a matter of seconds 

On the steps of an upward moving escalator

The drama had unfolded quickly 

My right knee with a recovering medial ligament tear lost its balance

As my right foot teetered at the edge, I fell backwards

The ascending escalator continued

Causing me to bend back further

The world went swirling for a moment 

I was about to be reckoned

The scene was about to turn upside down 

One guy I caught sight standing behind me, grabbed and pushed  me forward and upward

For a few moments we both stumbled back

He too was about to go topsy turvy

He went back down a few steps and held fort

Finally he straightened me up and I caught on the railing

We both ascended the escalator, panting

He was in shock, I was in a daze

I apologised for my carelessness, a weak knee and carrying too many things 

He was clearly flustered, I was relieved

“You should take the elevator”, he said 

I should stop dreaming, I told myself

On hindsight, I could have been more quick thinking;

To be more reactive in this case

To hold onto the railing properly in the first place

To let go of my stuff and grabbed the railing tightly when destabilized

To step back with my good left foot to restore balance and try to upright instantly 

My lesson; Be proactive! In whatever task I have in front of me, I must focus