Menua dengan anggun mengingatkanku pada Chu Tu, yang pernah menyenandungkan:
Telah tumbuh uban, beberapa ratus helai, di kepalaku.
Sesering mereka dicabut, masih banyak yang lain tumbuh bertaburan.
Lantas, mengapa tak berhenti mencabut, dan membiarkan saja si putih itu?
Siapa yang berdaya melawan sang benang keperakan?
Catatan:
Di masa hidup Chu Tu belum ada hair dye.
Terjemahan bebas dari buku Lin Yutang, the Importance of Living.
Jonggol, Natal 2020
Johan Japardi
Growing Old Gracefully
Growing old gracefully reminds me of Chu Tu, who once sang:
I've gained white hairs, some hundreds, on my head.
As often as they're plucked, still more grow in their stead.
Why not stop plucking, then, and let the white alone?
Who has the time to fight against the silvery thread?
Note:
In Chu Tu's lifetime, there was no hair dye yet.
Â
Quoted from Lin Yutang's book, the Importance of Living.
Jonggol, Christmas 2020
Johan Japardi
