Now, with these sunlit days, the season's gifts of vivid blue and green are all around us. Although it is summer, there are still hardly any days when the temperature reaches 25°C, but the sunlight is quite strong and the air conditioner goes on in the car. This is the season when people emerge from their winter hibernation and become more active outdoors. We celebrate the bright light, stretch bodies that had drawn in upon themselves, and fill our lungs with the joy of being alive, renewing our vitality.
今、陽光輝く日々と共に季節の贈り物である鮮やかな青と緑がここにある。夏とは云えまだ２５℃に到達する日はほとんどないが光線は相当強く、車中ではクーラーをかけることになる。冬眠していた人々も外へ繰り出し活動することが多くなる時季だ。明るい光を賛歌し、萎縮していた体を思い切り伸ばし、生の歓びを胸一杯吸い込んで活力を得るのだ。
Across Lake Union, north of Seattle, lies the small old neighborhood of Ballard. When I walk around here, the petty concerns that had been lodged in my mind somehow cease to matter; perhaps the clear air purifies the heart. Young people on summer vacation come into town as well, strolling the streets in cheerful company. The worries of youth fall away, energy overflows, and merely walking with friends is so much fun that, for no reason at all, they feel like leaping into the air with a shout. That is the age they are at.
シアトルの北にあるユニオン湖の対岸にはバラードという小さな古い街がある。この辺りを歩くといつの間にか頭につかえていた雑事がどうでもよくなるのは、空気が澄んでいて心が浄化されるのだろう。夏休みの若者達も街へ出かけ、和気あいあいとストリートを闊歩する。青春が故の悩む心も解放され、エネルギーが満ち溢れ、友と歩いているだけで楽しくて楽しくて．．．理由がなくてもうわーっとジャンプしたくなる年頃なのだ。
An elderly couple out for a walk sit on chairs in front of a shop, resting awhile and chatting with passersby. Smiling as they tell stories of their devoted son and their dear grandchild's mishaps at middle school has become part of their daily routine. Peaceful spaces like this are part of the character of this neighborhood.
散歩の老夫婦も商店の前の椅子に座り、一息つきながら通りがかりの人と世間話のひととき。にこにこと孝行息子の話やかわいい孫の中学校での失敗談も日課になっている。こんな平和なスペースがあるのもこの街のキャラクターなのだ。
On weekends, flea markets spring up everywhere. Vendors and shoppers exchange cheerful conversation, looking more like neighbors chatting over the fence than people intent on business. Summer's radiance shines from their happy faces as well, and the bright, colorful atmosphere makes the town look wonderfully alive. Against the blue sky and green trees, all the different colors come together in rhythm.
ウイークエンドともなれば至る所でフリーマーケット (Flea Market) が広がっている。店を出す人もショッピングする人も楽しげに会話を交わし、商売そっちのけで井戸端会議の様相だ。夏の輝きは人々の楽しそうな笑顔からも発せられ、明るくカラフルな空気は街の姿をとても躍動的に見せてくれる。青い空に木々の緑に、いろいろな色が一体となってリズムをとっているのだ。
Even after six in the evening the sun is still high, though the contrast between sunlit areas and shadows is growing. Around this time the temperature gradually begins to fall, and it no longer feels hot while walking. It is still too early for dinner, so perhaps I will browse the shop windows as I make my way down the hill toward the waterfront.
午後6時を過ぎてもまだ日は高いが、日の当たる部分と影の部分の明るさの差が大きくなりつつある。この頃から気温も徐々に下がり始め、歩いていても暑さは感じない。夕食にはまだ早く、ウインドーショッピングでもしながら坂を下りて波止場辺りまで行ってみるのもいいだろう。
The breeze off Elliott Bay flows pleasantly, and even the dazzling western sun is a delight. There is the happiness of filling one's mouth with fresh raw oysters amid the scent of the tide, then, just as their savor spreads across the tongue, washing it down with a cold local beer. With ships' horns and the cries of gulls as background music for lively conversation, it is a marvelous setting.
エリオット湾の風が心地よく流れ、眩しい西日も楽しいものだ。潮の香りと共に新鮮な生オイスターを頬張る時の幸せ感、旨みが口の中に広がったところで冷たい地ビールを喉越しに流し込む。そして船の汽笛やカモメの鳴く声が楽しい会話のＢＧＭとは、なんて素敵なセッティングだろう。
The sun begins to set, announcing the end of the day. At home, a wife is busy preparing supper while a child watches television, eagerly awaiting the father's return. It is one of the most comforting moments in human life. We each have many kinds of ordinary days: happy days and sad ones, painful days and fortunate ones. The sky looks upon all these people alike as it calmly brings today's schedule to a close and lowers the curtain of night.
日が沈み始め、一日の終わりを告げる。家では妻が夕餉の支度に忙しく、子供はテレビを見ながら父親の帰りを今かと待っている。人の営みの最もほっとするひとときなのだ。我々にはいろいろな「毎日」がある。うれしい日や悲しい日、苦しい日も幸運な日も。空はそんな人々を一様に見つめながら、淡々と今日の日程を終えて夜の帳を降ろしていく。