FOOD FOR THOUGHT
'As part of Birmingham City Library, BAES (Birmingham Adult Education Service) invited current language students to take part in a poetry competition. Learners were asked to write a 50-word poem about their favourite food, using the language they were studying.'
As a Japanese language learner, I chose to write a poem about lugaw — a warm, comforting Filipino rice porridge. To me, lugaw is more than just food; it’s a symbol of home, healing, and heritage.
I was delighted — and a little shocked — to win the beginner’s entry prize!
'As part of Birmingham City Library, BAES (Birmingham Adult Education Service) invited current language students to take part in a poetry competition. Learners were asked to write a 50-word poem about their favourite food, using the language they were studying.'
As a Japanese language learner, I chose to write a poem about lugaw — a warm, comforting Filipino rice porridge. To me, lugaw is more than just food; it’s a symbol of home, healing, and heritage.
I was delighted — and a little shocked — to win the beginner’s entry prize!
Lugaw
The warmth of lugaw,
A gentle flavour.
A sprinkle of ginger.
A dash of salt.
Steam rises, soft and slow,
I feel the earth in every mouthful—
rice from fields my ancestors sowed,
water drawn by calloused hands,
and the care of all those
who knew the weight of hunger.
A gentle flavour.
A sprinkle of ginger.
A dash of salt.
Steam rises, soft and slow,
I feel the earth in every mouthful—
rice from fields my ancestors sowed,
water drawn by calloused hands,
and the care of all those
who knew the weight of hunger.
ルガウ
ルガウの温もり、
優しい味わい。
生姜をひとふり。
塩をひとつまみ。
蒸気が立ち上る、柔らかくゆっくりと、
一口ごとに大地を感じる—
先祖たちが植えた田からの米、
荒れた手で汲み上げた水、
そして飢えの重さを知るすべての人々の思いやり。
Rugau
Rugau no nukumori,
yasashii ajiwai.
Shouga wo hitofuri.
Shio wo hitotsumami.
Jouki ga tachiagaru, yawarakaku yukkuri to,
hitokuchi goto ni daichi wo kanjiru —
senzo-tachi ga ueta ta kara no kome,
areta te de kumiageta mizu,
soshite ue no omosa wo shiru subete no hitobito no omoiyari.
優しい味わい。
生姜をひとふり。
塩をひとつまみ。
蒸気が立ち上る、柔らかくゆっくりと、
一口ごとに大地を感じる—
先祖たちが植えた田からの米、
荒れた手で汲み上げた水、
そして飢えの重さを知るすべての人々の思いやり。
Rugau
Rugau no nukumori,
yasashii ajiwai.
Shouga wo hitofuri.
Shio wo hitotsumami.
Jouki ga tachiagaru, yawarakaku yukkuri to,
hitokuchi goto ni daichi wo kanjiru —
senzo-tachi ga ueta ta kara no kome,
areta te de kumiageta mizu,
soshite ue no omosa wo shiru subete no hitobito no omoiyari.