English text at bottom
子供の頃を過ごした街は、今ではすっかり変わって道に迷うほどである。よく遊んだ急坂の上の寺はなくなり、道も平らになって大型店が並ぶ。街がそれだけ良くなったということなのだが、一方で生まれ育った街すっかり変わりそこで道に迷うたびに疑問を感じなくもない。コンクリートに覆われた河岸に悲観的な感傷を感じているわけでもないし、努力の結果だとは理解している。ただ、古い水門がどこかしら通り抜けられない時間の門となって立ちはだかっているように見えてくる。
The town where I spent my childhood playing with naughty boys and girls has been completely changed. A steep slope to an old temple was replaced to an ordinary street that general merchandising stores were built along and most of riversides are now covered with concrete. I know it was a result from continuous efforts of improvement of the town, with political issues though. I’m not pessimistic but, just say, I’m wondering if it is still my hometown when I miss the way home. As if an old water gate made a barrier for small lives.
Please note that I didn’t write the Watergate. The mayor who strongly pushed on construction with his political ability when I was a kid at school is the dad of a naughty friend.
In response to WPC: State of Mind.
