心して桜ちれちれ鮎小鮎
kokoro shite sakura chire-chire ayu ko ayu
“Be brave, cherry blossoms
and fall!” the little trout
so we’ve been on tour for a while now, and this haiku has come back to me every so often as a very appropriate call to all of those who are deciding to risk their own physical safety, financial security, or personal relationships, to make themselves a part of the ongoing fight to bring justice and freedom to those who are not given the rights that they so deserve. often people who make this decision are treated with disbelief or even animosity by their friends or family, instead of the respect that they deserve. now i am certainly not saying that these activist individuals should be overly praised or are in it for the accolades (not that there really are many), but sometimes people on the outside seem to take an affront to giving ones time with a completely altuistic purpose, instead of falling in line with the idea that the standard path of money/security/prestige must be followed. and i dont mean this as some desired recognition for the things that i am working on, because i have been fortunate enough to have met many amazing people all around the world that continue to insipre and support me, whether directly or indirectly.
basically this poem most likely was originally meant to be interpereted as a call to not be afraid of death, since when the cherry blossom falls it has obviously reached the end of its life. however, i see it a bit differently. i see it as a call to dive into the unknown, to make the leap into something that may not offer security, but it will most certainly be an amazing, exciting, and enriching experience. that little cherry blossom may have to take that blind leap, but the river that they land in will carry them along to yet unknown lands with many little fish cheering them on along the way. so all of you out there that are feeling exhausted, unsupported, or just plain tired of being misunderstood by those you hoped would know you best, just remember; i, and others like me, are motivated and encouraged by your efforts everyday, and by working together we will see the things that others sheild their eyes from, and make these issues impossibe for them to ignore any longer. so fight on dear friends, and take that leap!
