沉思（双语美文）

　　1

　　在那遥远的天边， Far beyond the distant sky,

　　有一颗星星在闪现，There is a star twinkling in the night

　　深邃而凝重的慧眼，With deep and dignified insight,

　　审视着尘世的变迁，And overlooking the world changing high,

　　那里有逝去的流年，Over there are the elapsing years,

　　更有那广袤的陌阡，And even the expanse of crisscross paths,

　　人间的沧海和桑田，The sea turning into fields or contrariwise

　　总是让他彻夜不眠!Deprive him of his sleep always!

　　2

　　在天际的另一边， On the other side of the world,

　　是故乡迷人的画卷，Is the picturesque of his homeland,

　　宽厚而肥沃的园田，The vast thick and fertile field

　　滋润着生灵的繁衍，Nourishes the creatures multiplied,

　　那里有欢快的童年，Over there is his joyful childhood,

　　更有那厚重的堂匾，And even massive school plaque over-suspended,

　　心里的追忆和沉淀，The reminiscence and sedimentation in his mind

　　总是让他梦绕魂牵!Always bring him into dream mentally-confused!

　　3

　　在天际的另一边， On the other side of the world,

　　是父母苍老的容颜，Are the aged faces of his mum and dad,

　　浩荡而苦涩的恩典，Their bitter and great grace of God

　　沐浴着后世的家眷，Benefits the descendants of kindred,

　　那里有儿时的屋檐，Over there are the eaves of his birthplace,

　　更有那殷切的慰勉，And even the comfort and exhortation of their eagerness,

　　心里的酸楚和亏欠，His soul with sorrow and guiltiness

　　总是让他肠挂肚牵!Always make him worry about his parents!

　　4

　　在天际的另一边， On the other side of the world,

　　是妻子深情的泪眼，Are his wife’s eyes tear-dropped,

　　疲惫而柔韧的身倩，Her weary and withy body is dragged

　　维系着家族的支点，To be the crutch of the household.

　　那里有往日的情缘，Over there is love story of the past years,

　　更有那患难的誓言，And even the oaths of sharing trials and tribulations，

　　生活的苦涩与甘甜，The life of bitterness and sweetness,

　　总是让他真情难掩!Makes him full of true feeling always!

　　5

　　在天际的另一边， On the other side of the world,

　　是儿女甜美的笑脸，Are the sweet faces of his each kid,

　　企盼而难酬的心愿，Their wistful and unachievable expectation

　　拨动着亲人的心弦，Plucks the heartstring of each relation,

　　那里有重逢的欢颜, Over there are the happy days of reunions,

　　更有那离别的哽咽, And even sobs while separating from their relatives,

　　心里的牵挂和留恋，The feelings of anxiety and reluctance

　　总是让他泪流满面! Always have his face covered with tears!

　　6

　　在那遥远的天边， In the distant place of the world,

　　是游子飞翔的空间，Is the soaring space of the wanderer indeed,

　　铿锵而有力的音旋，With his sonorous and forceful sound,

　　吟唱着壮丽的诗篇，And intonating the psalm splendid,

　　那里有承诺的兑现，Over there are his promises waiting for fulfillment,

　　更有那身心的砺练，And even the grinding of his body and spirit,

　　人生的平淡和潋滟，Whether the mediocre life or the brilliant

　　总是让他感慨万千!Always make him meditate in his thought!

　　相关阅读：

　　The newly coined term ‘Grey Gapper' describes people who are 55 and over, and who have decided to take a gap year. Gap years are normally associated with young people and students, who are taking a break from education to backpack around the world, staying in hostels and partying a lot. However, according to a survey by the Post Office, ‘grey gappers' are now on the increase, with 25% of people aged 55 and over taking a long break to travel the world.

　　Grey Gapper这个新创的词指55岁以上、决定进行一次间隔年旅行的人，我们可以称为“银发gap族”或者“银发空档族”。通常来说，间隔年都跟年轻人和学生族有关，他们会在上学期间暂停学业，背包周游世界、住青年旅馆，四处狂欢。不过，一项调查显示，“银发gap族”的人数在持续增加，55岁以上的人群中有25%会暂别常规生活，周游世界。

　　This age group is typically in an extremely comfortable position to partake in anextended adventure. They are mature people with savings, grown up children and empty nests, years of hard work, stress and pressure behind them; so why not shed someresponsibility and indulge?

　　这个年龄段的人正处于生活最舒适的阶段，可以参加时间较长的出游。他们成熟有积蓄，孩子已成年离家，努力工作多年，压力不再，所以为什么不卸下责任，放肆欢乐呢?

　　Some empty nesters set off, iPads in hand, to faithfully tick sights and destinations off a long-held travel bucket-list. Others look for work or voluntary placements overseas; one third of globalvounteers.org participants are now over 55. The baby boomer generation have a love of travel, backed up with money and ambition, and many refuse to take retirement sitting down.

　　有些空巢族手里拿着iPad出发，按照计划许久的旅游清单一一造访那些景点。有些则会寻找海外的工作或志愿服务机会，globalvounteers.org网站三分之一的志愿者都是55岁以上的。婴儿潮一代喜爱旅行，有足够的资金和雄心，很多人并不愿意把退休作为安享晚年的终点。