A Promise for Siam
給暹邏的允諾

Preface 前言

Siam has become Thailand. Forests have become hotels. Islands have become movies. Cities have become factories. People have become things. Thats the country as we know it today.

暹邏變成泰國。森林變成旅館。島嶼變成電影。城市變成工廠。人們變成事物。這就是我們今日所認識的泰國。

A Promise for Siam is a search for the genuine essence of Siam by walking peacefully through forests, embracing islands at dawn, seeking humanity in the cities and meeting the hearts of the people.

給暹邏的允諾，帶你在森林中靜心漫步；環抱晨曦照拂之島嶼；在城市中尋覓人文氣息和人與人之間的心靈交會...為了尋回暹邏原本之面貌。

Knowing a country is not just touring, nor hanging out in bars. Truly knowing means hearing the voices of children and dreams of youth, learning the language, the customs, the contradictions and the confusion.

認識一個國家不僅是四處觀光或聚在酒吧喝喝酒而已。傾聽孩子與青少年們的心聲與夢想、學習語言、熟悉風俗習慣、覺察社會上的各種矛盾與混亂，才算真正認識這個國家。

Understanding and appreciating the country comes from meeting artists, musicians, families, teachers, eager students and warm friends who vibrate the country with creative energy. As a teacher, it means tapping creative energy, encouraging expression, supporting personal growth and inspiring insight.

想要瞭解並懂得如何欣賞這個國家，應該多與藝術家、音樂家、在地家庭、老師、求知心強的學生和談得來的貼心朋友們交流互動。就是這些具創意與活力的人，讓這個國家生氣勃勃。身為一個導師應有的職責，就是要拔擢原創力、鼓勵表達力、支持每個個體的成長並鼓舞培養他們各自的洞察力。

These poems paint portraits of the land through the eyes of a poet in love with Siams tropical paradise and its meaning to humanity.

這個國家肖像的多面性，正經由深愛暹邏這個熱帶樂園及其人道意義的詩人—透過他的眼、他的詩，被一一呈現。

These poems are curious about Buddhist peace and what it means for the world.

這些詩，非常好奇地想探知和平愛好的佛教徒在世間所扮演的角色和具有的意義。

These poems gracefully accept the cacophony of Bangkok and what it tells us about the human condition.

這些詩優雅地包容曼谷的種種亂象及其人道現狀之訊息傳遞。

These poems are enchanted by unique traditions, ancient civilizations, modern festivals, and what each tell us about the changing face of Siam.

獨一無二的傳統、古老文明、現代節慶 —在在陳述著暹邏的蛻變和面貌—也是這些詩為之心醉神迷的要素。

This is my promise, A Promise for Siam, for all the people who have made life in Siam such a beautiful experience for me.

這是我的允諾—給暹邏的允諾—獻給所有讓我在暹邏的生命充滿美好經驗的人。


by Tom Radzienda

Tom Radzienda: A Promise for Siam, 
Pentameter Press International: Thailand, 2002. 
ISBN: 974-88608-3-3

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