連日來失溫所造成的混亂，開始逐步將散落的思緒收拾整理，緩慢將它們放回原本的位置。整體來說，生活並無太大改變，唯獨探知溫度被迫改以雙眼去判斷冷熱，而肌膚則成了真正的瞎子。可笑的是……即便失溫，面對桌上那碗看似滾熱的湯麵，還是習慣性吹了吹幾下才入口。
I’ve slowly recovered from a sense of distraction after losing my temperature sensation for a few days. I made an effort to clear my mind, trying to slowly identify scattered thoughts and put them back into where they were. All in all, my life was basically the same as before, except for that I lost a sense of temperature, and needed to see for myself if the thing is too hot. My skin was useless for now. Ironically I still blew on the soup first before I started to eat the bowl of noodles.
大概過了幾個月，某天下午接到科學家電話，有別於印象中那副孤傲的神情，電話那頭是異常興奮的語氣：
「我成功研發可感知溫度的人工肌膚了！你能來試試嗎？」
Some months later, I got a phone call from the scientist one afternoon. He sounded very excited, very unlike the person I saw at the hospital: “ I’ve invented artificial skin already! It can detect temperature! Will you come and try it? ”
I’ve slowly recovered from a sense of distraction after losing my temperature sensation for a few days. I made an effort to clear my mind, trying to slowly identify scattered thoughts and put them back into where they were. All in all, my life was basically the same as before, except for that I lost a sense of temperature, and needed to see for myself if the thing is too hot. My skin was useless for now. Ironically I still blew on the soup first before I started to eat the bowl of noodles.
大概過了幾個月，某天下午接到科學家電話，有別於印象中那副孤傲的神情，電話那頭是異常興奮的語氣：
「我成功研發可感知溫度的人工肌膚了！你能來試試嗎？」
Some months later, I got a phone call from the scientist one afternoon. He sounded very excited, very unlike the person I saw at the hospital: “ I’ve invented artificial skin already! It can detect temperature! Will you come and try it? ”
來到約定地點，他引我走進那間帶著冷調氣息的研究室，熱情為我介紹他所研製的成果，這些帶點透明膚色的外皮，每套摸來都細嫩光滑，然而它們幾近造作的完美實在令我反感，別說穿在身上用它們感受溫度，它們的外表早已失去某種溫度。我拒絕了科學家的好意，快步離開這處充滿刺鼻味的場所。
When I arrived, he led me into that air-conditioned lab, and gave me an enthusiastic introduction to his research result. This somewhat translucent artificial skin touched so delicate and smooth, but I was disgusted by its fake perfection. It did not look warm, to say the least, I had no desire to wear it and feel the temperature. I refused the scientist’s kind suggestion, and quickened my pace, leaving this pungent-smelling lab.
When I arrived, he led me into that air-conditioned lab, and gave me an enthusiastic introduction to his research result. This somewhat translucent artificial skin touched so delicate and smooth, but I was disgusted by its fake perfection. It did not look warm, to say the least, I had no desire to wear it and feel the temperature. I refused the scientist’s kind suggestion, and quickened my pace, leaving this pungent-smelling lab.
存在一個擁有體溫卻感知不到溫度的身體裡，季節轉換對我也喪失了意義。
看著那些躲在樹影下的機車騎士和一隻不停伸舌散熱的哈士奇，我竟羨慕起面露疲態的牠和他們，我多想重新感受這些流竄在肌膚底下的燥熱。大家都躲到樹蔭下了，徒留一片灑滿烈日的草皮。我走進那片無人干擾的空曠，安靜看向公園的一切，安靜地彷彿自己已經與這個世界失去連結。
I live in an always-feeling-cold body—even though my body temperature is normal—change of seasons does not make sense to me at all. I looked at the motorists in tree shades and a Husky dog that was sticking its tongue out to cool down its skin. I couldn’t help but envy this tired-looking dog and these people. How I wanted to feel the heat under my skin once again!
All were hiding in the shade, the scorching-hot lawn was empty. I walked over the undisturbed openness, silently watching everything around the park. So silent that I had been cut out from this entire world.
All were hiding in the shade, the scorching-hot lawn was empty. I walked over the undisturbed openness, silently watching everything around the park. So silent that I had been cut out from this entire world.
此時微風吹起，一粒隨風揚起的種籽意外飄落在燙傷的手背，它細長的纖毛黏附在傷口賴著不走，恰巧我也需要一點陪伴，便順手留下了它。
奇怪的是不論我如何甩動雙手，它依然一動也不動的附著在手背，如生根似的。我索性帶著它一起回家，一同刷牙洗臉淋浴泡澡，睡前還輕撫它微細的纖毛道聲晚安。
A soft breeze blew. A seed was blown my way, and rested on the burned back of my hand. Its soft, slender little hair was stuck on my wounded skin. I needed a companion, so I let it be. What intrigued me most was no matter how I shook my hands, this little hair was glued to my skin; it was unremovable. I had no choice but to take it home. Back home, I brushed my teeth, took a shower, and had a bath. When I was lying in bed, I caressed the seeds’ tiny hair, and said good-night to the seed.
清晨，拖著尚未清醒的身體走向浴室，用日復一日的慣性拿起牙刷擠上牙膏……
「咦！這是……」
有點不敢置信的，我奮力揉開雙眼仔細看了看自己燙傷的手背，那處佈滿皺摺的傷痕竟埋覆一株細小的綠色嫩芽！？
「嗯？是昨天那粒種籽嗎？」
「等等，還是失溫造成的後遺症？」
盯著那株綠芽看了許久，太多問號充斥在容量有限的大腦裡，面對這些惱人的問題，現在我已無力拆解，也許時間到了，許多令人費解的疑問都會以它真實的樣貌展示在自己眼前。
「咦！這是……」
有點不敢置信的，我奮力揉開雙眼仔細看了看自己燙傷的手背，那處佈滿皺摺的傷痕竟埋覆一株細小的綠色嫩芽！？
「嗯？是昨天那粒種籽嗎？」
「等等，還是失溫造成的後遺症？」
盯著那株綠芽看了許久，太多問號充斥在容量有限的大腦裡，面對這些惱人的問題，現在我已無力拆解，也許時間到了，許多令人費解的疑問都會以它真實的樣貌展示在自己眼前。
Early in the morning, I dragged my feet toward the bathroom, and squeezed a dab of toothpaste onto my toothbrush like any day before…
“Hey! What’s…”
To my utter disbelief, I rubbed my eyes very hard, trying to stare at the burn on the back of my hand. Why does a little green shoot sprout amid the wrinkles of the wound?
“Hmm, is this the shoot from the seed of yesterday?”
“Wait! Does this have something to do with a lost sensation of temperature?”
I gazed at the green shoot for a long while, feeling that I was bombarded by many question marks inside my brain. Now I don’t have any means or resources to tackle all this mess. Maybe, all these mysteries will be unraveled before my eyes when the time comes.
嫩芽一天天攀生，幾次嘗試拔除，卻無損它生存的意志，總是一再冒出新芽，而且一旦刻意拔除，下次攀生的速度就會呈倍數增長，最後只好任由它恣意生長。越發茁壯的枝葉佈滿掌心，很快的左手臂就被它傲人的生命力給包覆。結果每回出門都得用繃帶緊緊纏住手臂，假裝自己是個骨折的傢伙。
The tiny shoot grew up every day. I tried a couple of times to remove it, but it grew up anyway. Besides, every time it was removed, it would display exponential growth the next day. In the end, I surrendered and let it had its own way. The luxuriant leaves and twigs started to cover round my palm, and my left arm was very soon covered by its rapidly growing size. Before long, I needed to bandage my whole arm as if I had a broken arm.
I gazed at the green shoot for a long while, feeling that I was bombarded by many question marks inside my brain. Now I don’t have any means or resources to tackle all this mess. Maybe, all these mysteries will be unraveled before my eyes when the time comes.
嫩芽一天天攀生，幾次嘗試拔除，卻無損它生存的意志，總是一再冒出新芽，而且一旦刻意拔除，下次攀生的速度就會呈倍數增長，最後只好任由它恣意生長。越發茁壯的枝葉佈滿掌心，很快的左手臂就被它傲人的生命力給包覆。結果每回出門都得用繃帶緊緊纏住手臂，假裝自己是個骨折的傢伙。
The tiny shoot grew up every day. I tried a couple of times to remove it, but it grew up anyway. Besides, every time it was removed, it would display exponential growth the next day. In the end, I surrendered and let it had its own way. The luxuriant leaves and twigs started to cover round my palm, and my left arm was very soon covered by its rapidly growing size. Before long, I needed to bandage my whole arm as if I had a broken arm.
失溫加上莫名冒出植物的軀體，生活陷入越來越弔詭的情境。這個總是透過外表去審視他人的社會，將會以什麼評判標貼在我身上呢？有沒有可能在他們眼裏，這些不明究理的症狀都只是一種荒謬的存在，只是一個奇怪的病症。
每天植物都循著肢體不斷爬行蔓延，沒多久便佈滿全身，我的模樣就像沈寂已久的空屋一樣，輕易的讓植物給淹沒。這身難以理解的長相，總得等到凌晨時刻才能悄悄出門享受短暫的自在。
With this strange plant-like arm yet without a sense of temperature, I found myself being dropped into such strange, baffled conditions. In a society where we are often judged by our looks, what kind of label will be placed on me? Is it possible that they see my unexplained symptoms as a ludicrous existence, or a strange illness?
This plant crept along my arm day after day, and within a few weeks, my body was overlaid with its entwined twigs. I looked like a long-abandoned house, which was taken over by this plant so quickly. With this inconceivable appearance, I had to wait till wee hours to leave my house and enjoy some fresh air.
今晚不知不覺走向那處久違的公園草皮，寬闊的草坪還是只有我一人，夜晚顯得更加寧靜了。我用手撫觸地面小草，指尖傳來的輕柔觸感讓我不加思索褪去身上所有衣物，赤裸張開手臂仰躺在草地上，我任其身上的枝葉鬆展搖曳，多久未曾如此愜意了呢？身體彷彿流入一股綠色液體，緩解了不安的紅色血液。
I walked absent-mindedly toward that lawn in the park. It seemed quite a long time to be near the lawn. I was the only person on the broad lawn as usual, and the night seemed to be even quieter than before. I touched the lawn grass, and the softness of it made me remove all my clothes without a second thought, extending my arms while lying on the grasslands, feeling the twigs and leaves grown on my body swaying rhythmically. How long haven’t I been so comfortable? I felt as if a green liquid flowing into my body, which has relieved the tumultuous red blood.
每天植物都循著肢體不斷爬行蔓延，沒多久便佈滿全身，我的模樣就像沈寂已久的空屋一樣，輕易的讓植物給淹沒。這身難以理解的長相，總得等到凌晨時刻才能悄悄出門享受短暫的自在。
With this strange plant-like arm yet without a sense of temperature, I found myself being dropped into such strange, baffled conditions. In a society where we are often judged by our looks, what kind of label will be placed on me? Is it possible that they see my unexplained symptoms as a ludicrous existence, or a strange illness?
This plant crept along my arm day after day, and within a few weeks, my body was overlaid with its entwined twigs. I looked like a long-abandoned house, which was taken over by this plant so quickly. With this inconceivable appearance, I had to wait till wee hours to leave my house and enjoy some fresh air.
今晚不知不覺走向那處久違的公園草皮，寬闊的草坪還是只有我一人，夜晚顯得更加寧靜了。我用手撫觸地面小草，指尖傳來的輕柔觸感讓我不加思索褪去身上所有衣物，赤裸張開手臂仰躺在草地上，我任其身上的枝葉鬆展搖曳，多久未曾如此愜意了呢？身體彷彿流入一股綠色液體，緩解了不安的紅色血液。
I walked absent-mindedly toward that lawn in the park. It seemed quite a long time to be near the lawn. I was the only person on the broad lawn as usual, and the night seemed to be even quieter than before. I touched the lawn grass, and the softness of it made me remove all my clothes without a second thought, extending my arms while lying on the grasslands, feeling the twigs and leaves grown on my body swaying rhythmically. How long haven’t I been so comfortable? I felt as if a green liquid flowing into my body, which has relieved the tumultuous red blood.
我的四肢，我的身體全然鬆放在此時此刻，原先一身沈重的軀體竟開始一點一點下沉至土裡，身上的植物像是尋到熟悉的氣味，它們穿透我的肌膚往土裡竄入札根……
霎時間一股潮濕熱氣突然湧向全身，土壤溫熱的擁抱讓我留下激動的淚水，它默默吸乾所有熱淚，溫柔為我擦拭而去。茂盛的枝葉瞬間埋覆我所有感官，四周徒留一片黑，整個身體彷彿已和大地融為一體，聲響都被隔絕於外了，我蜷起身聽心臟自由的跳動著…
這一刻，我重新感受到自己的體溫。
霎時間一股潮濕熱氣突然湧向全身，土壤溫熱的擁抱讓我留下激動的淚水，它默默吸乾所有熱淚，溫柔為我擦拭而去。茂盛的枝葉瞬間埋覆我所有感官，四周徒留一片黑，整個身體彷彿已和大地融為一體，聲響都被隔絕於外了，我蜷起身聽心臟自由的跳動著…
這一刻，我重新感受到自己的體溫。
My body, and my arms and legs, were relaxed and light at that moment. The heavy body slowly sank into the soil, bit by bit. The plant on my body seemed to have smelled very familiar smell, so it penetrated my skin, dashed into the soul, and took root…
In that instant, a humid heat arose and surrounded my body. I burst into agitated tears with the warm embrace of the land, but the soil silently absorbed all my hot tears, as if softly wiping these tears away. All my senses were buried in the flourishing leaves in that instant, and I was left in total darkness, as if my entire body was at one with the land. All sounds seemed to be drifting away. I curled up and listened to my heartbeat, so free and liberated…
In that instant, a humid heat arose and surrounded my body. I burst into agitated tears with the warm embrace of the land, but the soil silently absorbed all my hot tears, as if softly wiping these tears away. All my senses were buried in the flourishing leaves in that instant, and I was left in total darkness, as if my entire body was at one with the land. All sounds seemed to be drifting away. I curled up and listened to my heartbeat, so free and liberated…
At that moment, I regained my sense of temperature once again.
END.
