2010年2月27日 星期六

歸去之意 --- 自由與創作 [書頁]

在中國旅美作家哈金2007年出版的小說 《A Free Life》中,毫無疑問地,自由精神的探討是全書六百多頁文本的主調,內容廣泛觸及政治、經濟、感情、倫理、道德等等境遇,包括肉身和精神,個人與群體,幾乎所有人生在世不可逃避的覊絆與解脫,作者借由小說中各種角色的不同處境,希望突顯眾生營營的尖銳現實,尤其是移居他鄉所面臨的大有可能加倍的冷酷遭遇,形成小說中一場又一場身不由己的生存挑戰,或悲劇。哈金企圖從生活中全面探討自由的真義,這個動機令全書具有一種積極而標高的氣象,也使他對自由的詮釋從廣度中獲得深度的效果。但是,自始至終時不時浮現在書頁間的孤獨之嘆,卻也使整體籠罩在一層顧影自憐的氛圍中。在故事的尾聲,哈金希望提出一些現實生活中的解脫之道,以及人間角色可能達到的高度,但是,在精神創作的內在自由追尋中,明顯留下一道難以言說的孤獨情味。

高行健在2009年台北的法蘭克福書展的座談會上意味深長地道出:「創作是孤獨的,人也是孤獨的。」且說:「作家在政治與社會面前,只是一個人,而且是個脆弱的人‧‧‧但寫作者若內心是自由的,他的創作就是他的真實。」或者,高行健同時表達的是:不自由的創作心靈只是製造謊言;換言之,自由之心是所有自許為創作者必要的先決條件。然而脆弱的個人如何呵護一顆自由之心以行孤獨的創作之路?慨然出此言論,高行健顯然已深刻體會在創作的旅程中,因脆弱而依附、與因自由而孤獨的兩難。哈金和高行健這兩位極具代表的當代華裔作家在一人獨行的悠悠天地,在非單一文化相對複雜的創作環境中,既然已看到自由的極光在孤獨的黑洞中,其感覺當如冷泉在心。

或者,我們因此遙想得見約1700年前,賦歸田園的陶淵明如何成就一個千古詩人。他如何坦然承認「嘗從人事,皆口腹自役」的事實,既「覺今是而昨非」,即毅然遂其平生之志,高歌「歸去來兮」。從「心為形役」的桎梏解脫中歸去,陶淵明真心看到一個「載欣載奔」的歡愉世界,選擇「請息交以絕游,世與我而相違」之餘,他悠然「樂夫天命」,此一樂實因這位詩人真正得其所哉啊!可憐,世之追求精神之自由,創作之自由者,一旦不堪寂寞冷清,不甘沒沒無聞,於是身居南畝,一心卻向燈火輝煌處,一求人間繁華,二望普世聲名,那麼,如何不委心於眾聲群情?豈能自由?也許,自由之心不是人人可得,人間也毋需太多真實而偉大的創作者。陶淵明獨具一種極簡的智慧,以及真實的天性,可以看透自由的孤獨與孤獨的自由,從此豁然一開,悠悠自得,他行雲也似的詩心,出之筆端,遂成就不朽詩篇。千古以來,得自由之寬廣而沒有孤獨之悲愴者,此一人也。

指定功課 [遇見]

有一種遭遇,過程極短暫,實亦不相干,但,就是難忘。

就在前年深秋的一個午後,購物完畢,在百貨賣場前面的一個小公園裡,我坐在石頭椅子上,一面等待我的家人,一面游視公園內各樣的活動人群。向冬時節,捲起落葉的風中早已透著寒意,但是餘溫猶存的秋日午陽仍然暖暖地撒落在樹蔭以外的空地,使得公園裡雖有些冷清,還能感覺幾分熱絡。幾位老先生在各自點燃的煙霧中不疾不徐地交談,推出娃娃車的婦女們熱切地閒話家常,加上不斷的笑聲,更多的是小孩子的追逐玩鬧,從花壇邊躲到大樹後,爬上台階,再溜下滑梯,熱鬧極了。我不覺也感染一種安閒而愉悅的情緒。突然,我的目光盯上一個六、七歲大的小男孩,他捲起袖子的兩隻扭曲而瘦削的手,正用力撐著、推著一輛四輪的輔助器,憑借他瘦小身體的重力,四個輪子便在水泥空地上踉踉蹌蹌地拖動他兩支套上鋼架的腿,由於萎縮而單薄的兩腳長度不一,每一次的腳步移動勢必造成他整個身體急遽而激烈的顛躓,腦袋隨之左右晃動,鼻樑上的眼鏡雖然用繩子繫在腦後,還是不免頻頻滑落。這孩子必須專心而努力地,才能同時照顧自己身體的平衡與前進。每幾分鐘的來回練習後,他會暫停片刻,抬起頭來,喘一口氣,扶正他的眼鏡,注視著周圍跑來跑去與他同齡的小朋友,在他激烈動作後呈現紅暈的臉龐上,掛著溫和而愉快的笑容,饒有興味地看著身邊活躍的世界。不久,他又繼續進行這份實在費力,卻不容商量的指定功課。

貓狗公約 [筆隨]

我們這個山中的社區住著很多文雅的人士,每當清晨和黃昏,在林徑或者溪邊,常常走動著悠閒而樂活的居民,大家見面總是微笑招呼,等待巴士的時候也會排隊禮讓,還定期辦了很多藝文活動,住在這裡的人都以此自豪,願意努力維持這樣斯文的氣息,以及如此自然的環境。可是,在社區委員會定期的會議討論中,一直不能避免貓叫和狗屎的問題。

養貓人士很愛他(她)們的貓,因為貓真的是很溫暖的室內伴侶,試想,在山居的夜裡,有時下雨,尤其冬天,一隻貓,或者兩隻貓偎在膝上,或踡一團似的毛球歇在房間的任何角落,真的可以消融不少冷清。而愛狗人士帶著一隻、兩隻,或者一隊狗兒在社區的山林間、草地上跑步、遛走,挺順當的,有些毛髮乾淨、造型有趣而總是到處分享口水的狗,甚至幫主人交了不少朋友。可是各種貓和各種狗有各種不同的習性,每個養貓和每個養狗的人也有各種不同的想法和作法,於是“寵物文化”出現了極大的多樣性。記著,社區內可還有不少不養貓、不寵狗的人士,這些人當然也形成“不寵物文化”的多樣性。

因此,微笑招呼的鄰居在貓、狗的問題上不可避免地出現了芥蒂。貓的主人並不打算違逆貓口的天性,遛狗人士對狗屎的態度也趨向順其自然;但是,有人實實不願在散步的途中出其不意遇見狗屎,有人真真無法忍受貓狗日夜不分的自然發聲,還有人甚至沒有與貓狗仳鄰而居的意願;他們或者對貓狗沒有惡意,但並不打算在居家條件上退讓。那麼,這椿案子如何排解?先從貓狗擾人之處下手,於是行文公告、網路宣導、貓籍狗口的登錄,甚至提供狗屎清除的指導、貓狗結紮的補助。可是,季節一到,貓不能不叫,現場無犬的狗屎,無人認帳,尤有甚者,由於社區素有愛護動物的美名,因而成了外人棄養貓狗的天堂,每過一段時間就會平白生出一族流浪的貓狗,成了寵與不寵兩邊爭執的推卸地帶,一方表示無奈,說是出於人道收養,另一方則分析批判,認定此乃姑息棄養。山中社區已經陷入一個無解的糾纏。

於是決定訴諸法律,何況官方早有明文,貓狗不法,飼主當罰,再配合結紮補助、推動認養,似乎明天會更好。為了公告罰則條款,社區的管理委員會甚至斥資製作了很多顏色典雅、造型端莊的告示板,樹立在幾乎所有既怡人又醒目的地方,諸如楓樹下、櫻花旁、公園入口、車站旁邊;告示板上列了七項罰款條文,罰款從數千到十幾萬,外加一條特別提醒務必注意罰款的條文,要求貓狗的相關人士代為閱覽與遵守。於是,愛貓者必須要求貓兒共體時艱,特別季節,務必收歛;而出門兜風的狗兒必須三選一:戴口罩、繫狗圈、或在脖子上套一種喇叭式的什麼,遛狗的人士也多了一件配備:塑膠袋。照說,戴了口罩的狗不可能狂吠嚇人,繫了項圈的狗也在主人掌控之中,塑膠袋當然會把各自的狗屎帶回家,至於狗狗的體味、貓兒的不當叫聲,實在也沒有標準,或者習慣了就好。那麼,是不是貓狗的相關爭執可以就此了了?喔!我們絕不能小看動物的問題,當然,人的問題。


The Treaty for Cats and Dogs
[Translated by Huai-Ti Lin 林懷玓]

My community in the mountains is home to many genteel people. From dawn to dusk, these happy people often stroll around, in the woods or along the creek. When we meet, we always smile and salute. When we wait for the buses, we always stand in lines courteously. Every so often, we have quite a few artistic or cultural activities in the community. People who live here always take pride in these demonstrations of refinement, and strive to keep up this wonderful atmosphere and environment. However, on the agenda of every community meeting, we can never be rid off the issue of cats and dogs.

Cat owners love their cats, because these animals (the cats of course, not the humans) make lovely indoor company. Imagine a dark night in the mountains, perhaps with some winter rain, a cat or two purring on the laps or curling in the corner of the room really can dissolve much bleak misery. On the other hand, dog lovers are often surrounded by one, two, or a pack of dogs when jogging in the mountain ranges and grassy places. It seems all very appropriate. Some dogs with freshly kept fashion hairdo like to share their slobber with everyone. They even make new acquaintances for their masters everywhere. Nevertheless, different cats and dogs have different upbringing, and every cat owner or dog lover also has his/her own ideals and principles. Consequently the “pet culture diversity” really has become formidable. What’s more, there are still a lot of cultivated people who do not keep cats or dogs. These people certainly have their own “no-pet culture diversity”.

For the reason stated above, the happy habitants of this refined community have some conflicts on the issues of cats and dogs. Cat owners don’t really want to mute their cats’ seasonal tunes. The dog lovers also tend to take on a more naturalistic view regarding the organic compost from the dogs. Of course, there are people who do not wish to meet any hot shit by surprise walking down the paved trail. There are also people who cannot enjoy any song from the cat either night or day regardless of the voice quality. There are even people who do not plan to live with animals at all. These people may not have anything against animals, but they simply don’t want to let any cat or dog compromise their quality of living. Well then, what can we do about this conflict? We can start with public education through posters and internet. We can also encourage registering pets. Or we can even offer instructions on how to clean up animal feces, and offer support to sterilize pets. However, when the season comes, cats have to sing. When nobody is around, the dog deposits get left behind. On top of that, since our community has been known to be animal friendly, irresponsible pet owners from the city always abandon their pets here. The population of cats and dogs only increases over the years. Some people have even fought over this. Some say that picking up unwanted animals is merely an act of great humanity, but others argue that it is accommodating those irresponsible pet keepers (pet dumpers, to be more precise). Well, these are debates without solutions.

Naturally, we would have to bring in the law. Besides, the legislature has already made it quite clear: when cats and dogs break a law, the owner(s) (that’s if they exist and can be found) will have to take the consequences (usually as fines). With the sterilization policies in place and a big push on adoption, it seems like tomorrow will be better. Indeed, in order to publicize this detailed pricelist of different ways cats and dogs can earn additional tax for the government, the community administrative committee invested in producing many signs with aesthetic colors and proper shapes. They have been erected at various respectable yet conspicuous places, such as under the maple trees, besides the cherry blossoms, by the park entrance, or even at the bus stops. There are seven items on each sign, indicating fines from thousands to over ten thousand. There is also one additional item emphasizing that we should follow the above seven (but this one doesn’t have a price tag). In consequences, cat lovers must ask for their cats’ understanding and shut up any vocal talents. As for the dogs that enjoy some fresh air outside, they have three choices: submitting to a head mask, obeying to the leash, or wearing a collar trumpet which is much longer than their saliva can travel. Whoever walks the dog, of course, have to equip him/herself with plastic bags compatible to the colon size of the corresponding dog. Supposedly, dogs with head masks cannot possibly scare people with their long face, and the leash should keep them under control at all times. Plastic bags would then carry all the street brownies home with the original makers. As to the body aroma from some dogs and occasional cat hiccups, there is really no definite standard. Perhaps we can get use to it. Well then, have we gotten a treaty of cats and dogs? Oh, we must not underestimate animals, especially with humans.

2010年2月19日 星期五

考古 [書頁]

一個夏天的夜晚,山居的玻璃窗外群聚無數嗜光的蟲蛾,不知何處開了縫隙,有一隻細足薄翅的灰色小蟲,飄然飛抵我案上翻閱中的《十三經注疏》本〈左傳〉書頁上。我正埋首於版刻的經傳文字間,有時細讀經文,有時查閱傳注;常常回頭幾行,想一想,再往後幾行,希望在此春秋時代一場外交事件的文字記錄中看到一幕歷史的面貌,甚至看出孰成孰敗的端倪、孰是孰非的真相。愕然面對這平空飛來的小小外物,我雖然無心,卻直覺地將食指一彈,剎時,小蟲在這彈指之間粉身於第644頁,從邊框內往邊框外,拉出一條灰色的屍痕,它,從此書葬於此,春秋左傳襄公27年弭兵大會的史頁中。目睹這樁無端的死亡事件,我訪古遙遙的心思急轉回頭,直奔尚未編年的未來某一年某一天,或者某一個夜晚,是不是也有一位好古之士如我一般,心神凝注,兩鬢微霜,埋頭尋思於這一册淡染屍色的上上古史,就在第644頁的一場春秋息武談判中,企圖探索先人曾經風塵僕僕,縱橫交涉,多邊斡旋,又如何功敗垂成的蛛絲馬跡。這位後來者將如何激動,或者困惑,面對泛黃書頁上慘淡的一絲灰暈。一念及此,我遂徬徨於萬古的長路,考慮是不是應該設法拭去這道無名的屍痕,避免旁生枝節,又造一團考古的煙幕。

2010年2月18日 星期四

同行 [遇見]

時近黃昏,經過一個多小時的林中健步,身體的疲憊感使我略微出神而安靜地繼續行走在未完的山徑,我時而開展兩臂,讓最大的胸腔納入更多晚秋的山嵐與迎風的野味。薄暮的山中稀有人跡,此時出其不意地,有人從我後方出聲問好,我本能地應聲回答,旋即轉身,看到一個身型高挺的女人,上著黑色衣衫,下面是同色的長褲,加上俐落的短髮,顯得十分神氣;沒錯,我曾在黃昏的山行中與她相遇幾回,從來只是打過照面,微微示意罷了,而這一回,我們一人略前,一人稍後,大致同行。開始雙方間有問答,不外山居的位置、入住的時間、老舊的屋況等等,當然也問了彼此的姓氏。突然,我的這位同行者出聲呵斥前方叉路閃出的一輛機車,這個機車騎士正把一包垃圾棄置於山間路旁的草叢中;當這個缺德的傢伙頭也不回地車遁之後,我們不免對此有些議論;對於這位女士現場指責缺德分子的氣魄,我心中充滿敬意,可是在此疲憊和出神之際,我對不法行為的譴責語調實在沒有力道可言。片刻安靜之後,我隨意問道:「你是哪兒人?」沒有任何答腔,我卻也無意轉頭去端詳她的面容和表情,一會兒,只聽到像笑聲一般卻分明不悅的口氣說:「嘿!我們不要講這麼多好嗎?」我雖然錯愕卻不加思索:「sorry」,稍後,她禮貌地補充一句:「對不起呀!」我也客氣:「沒有關係。」於是,她開始邁大步伐,我自然放慢速度,於是一前一後,漸行漸遠,我們各走各的路。天色已暗,山區的家居有的燈光明亮,更多已沒入沉沉黑夜中。

打定主意 [筆隨]

既然讀書是我終身之志,理該立定志向,大步邁進,然而有關讀書的問題真的很不少,該讀什麼書?應當如何讀書?究竟要讀多少書?最好什麼時候讀書?到底讀書要幹嘛?為了打定一個主意,可憐我三十多年光陰盡在於此,有時心中明白,思路成軌,因而雀躍不已。哪知一陣風吹雲散,還是一片混沌,左右交戰。

近來,我驚覺去日實多,無暇蹉跎,毅然反身自顧,呵!是啊!我分明就是一條專注的書蟲,埋頭啃著書葉,終年爬行在網脈之間,有時沐浴日光,快樂無比,有時浸透雨露,狼狽不堪。儘管不斷啃食,羽化的美麗卻不盡是此生必然的結局。我開始算計我尚餘的人生,不再是我想做什麼,而是我可以做什麼。如同上了回程的車次,我開始瀏覽來時的風景,驀然看見年輕時期一種美好而動人的心靈活動:寫作。我決定開始書寫。不同當年的是,我將寫在一種格子裡,並且期待一個共賞的部落。

在這個部落格裡,我試圖形成三個欄區:遇見書頁筆隨。在「遇見」中,我寫所有我遭逢的對象。而顧名思義,「書頁」中必有我的掩卷之愚。至於「筆隨」,那就是心意所至,觸鍵隨之了。