by Joshua J. McElwee
As we do every Monday, the NCR staff met this morning to discuss what stories will go in our next issue.
Towards the end of the meeting, one of our editors asked a short question: What about Japan?
None of us really knew what to say. What about Japan?
As journalists, the question meant, simply: What story are we going to report about the disaster? As caring people, it reflected something else entirely: A profound sense of loss in the face of such tragedy.
As I've been watching the news reports today, I can't stop thinking of an old Japanese song that was a hit in the 1960s. Over a pop-candy melody, the singer, Kyu Sakamoto, tell us of a break-up. It's caused such pain, he says he must keep his head up as he walks so his tears won't fall to the ground.
As we all look to Japan, what else can we do?
I look up when I walk
So the tears won’t fall
Remembering those happy spring days
But tonight I’m all alone
I look up when I walk
Counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those happy summer days
But tonight I’m all alone
Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky
I look up when I walk
So the tears won’t fall
Though my heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I’m all alone
Remembering those happy autumn days
But tonight I’m all alone
Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars
Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon
I look up when I walk
So the tears won’t fall
Though my heart is filled with sorrow
For tonight I’m all alone
