祈盼清风：关掉空调后-2
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Grandma sees me tossing and turning. "If you'll just watch for the breeze," she says, "you'll cool off and fall asleep." She raises the Venetian blinds. I stare at the filmy white curtain, willing it to flutter. Lying still, waiting, I suddenly notice the life outside the window. The bug chorus shouts. Neighbors, sitting on their verandas until late, speak in flowing drawl that soothes me. "Keep watching for the breeze," Grandma says softly, and I "uh-huh" in reply. Bugs ping the screen. Three blocks away a train rumbles by. I catch the scent of fresh grass clippings. Then I hear something I can't decode --- perhaps a tree branch scratching the shop roof next door. Sleepy-eyed now, I look at the curtain. It moves... "Mom, did you hear that?" my seven-year-old blurts, tearing me from memories of old. "I think it was an owl family." "Probably," I tell him. "Just keep listening... " Without the droning air conditioner, the house sounds are different, more peaceful, and with the windows open outside noises seem close enough to touch. I hope I'm awake tonight when the first breeze sneaks in. ( finished) 中文： （续）外婆看我翻来覆去地睡不着，就说：“等着起风吧，一会儿就凉快下来，睡着了。”她把百叶窗卷了起来，我便盯着那薄薄的白窗帘，盼着它飘起来。 静静地躺着，等待着，突然，窗外的生机引起了我的注意。昆虫在轻唱，邻居们在阳台上，坐到深夜，他们模糊不清的说话声，开始催我入眠。 “等着风起来吧。”外婆轻声说，我嗯哼作答。虫子砰砰地撞在纱窗上。三个街区外，火车正隆隆驶过。 眼皮发沉了，我还是盯着窗帘。它飘起来了…… “妈妈，你听到了吗？”7岁的孩子突然嚷了起来，往昔的回忆倏然而去，“那是猫头鹰一家吧？” “可能是，接着听……” 没有了空调的嗡嗡作响，房间里静得出奇，未经过滤的夜声似乎近得伸手可及。我希望，当第一缕清风悄然而至时，我仍醒着。（完） |
