Yep, the level of intervention is such a delicate choice. To ride or to witness. Maybe they are one and the same thing, who knows? I'm so glad you love this, me too :)
The delineation between illusion and delusion in our world is difficult to decipher. Whether we are the deluded, domesticated animal, or the dreamer allowing their safe passage to swim past, Jonathan draws the curtain back to show us a world faltering on the brink of madness -- drunk on peach nectar.
Aye, this was awesome Jonathon. A good reminder for me to dive back through the older posts I missed. If I come back to Substack it will be for journeys like this.
I'm so glad you've surfaced, for a time at least, Leon. There's some more journeys and some love tales and some contemplation's waiting for you here if you do "come back" to Substack. All the best and I hope all's well.
Thank you Jonathon, yes all good here. I went cold turkey on the internet. All social media, all news, YouTube, even the weather haha. All my anxieties disappeared! Think I will remain off it for the most part but dip back into the Substacks that were worth the investment, yours included! Hope life is treating you well ❤️❤️❤️
That's is a good move Leon. I'm merely lowering my dosage, which isn't as brave as going cold turkey but has lessened my anxieties to a mere background uneasiness ;)
“…we saw a hare sitting in statuesque serenity, smack dab in the middle of ice, seemingly contemplating…”
Most likely wishing ,he too had a pair of cleated snow shoes for feet , just like his relatives. Proof of his prowess, he eyed the dog and stood silent, motionless, as if tempting. And the dog fell , right into his trap. Oh, the pleasure. You did not mention if the hare was smiling.
“…I sit and write this because maybe my meager words will tear a tiny hole in all this madness, through which we might reach and grab the manes of horses swimming by and slide upon their glistening backs and ride …”Shamelessly,I do not want to follow into darkness where you must go to find your truth in words. I think I’ll just step through the “tear” and wait here in the light. A respite , even for only a moment . Fear and delight all wrapped together as one. Exhilaration of the innocent child. Now it’s your turn.
You know very well where I’m sitting and who is beside me. Time to head out on the trail and walk Ranger, (before he eats the window sill)…
What a fantastic comment. Sometimes I have to read my writing back to understand what I was trying to say, what the symbolism is whispering back at me, and sometimes I can read comments to find out the same thing. Thanks Lor, excellent.
Am I correct that both the horse and the her incorporated within this dreamscape are references to Celtic mythology? Real or implied as otherworldly beings who remain among us. All of this is leading me further into waters with the young child.
Well, in general, right now I see so much antagonism in the political/social sphere. People being encouraged to engage in entrenched warfare. So many people fighting each other on behalf of power, instead of understanding their shared oppression. So in some way this is an attempt to describe the way in which we are herded toward that self-defeating division. And I'm always perplexed that the wonder and extraordinary beauty of being conscience social beings is so easily whittled down to egocentric narrow stupidity.
And yes, you're right (unsurprisingly) that the hare is partially derived from Ēostre, the Germanic Goddess of dawn and spring, which is supposed to represent the old seasonal rhythms and peoples attachment and dependence to and on the land, but also the confusion of the climate crises and our estrangement from each other and the land. While the horse for me represents hope and daring and opportunity and the possibility of change.
But all of these things have also happened. I did swim out into the ocean and I was surprised by a horse (some years ago). And I did see a hare (a week ago) nonchalantly teasing the dog. And I did have to endure a horrible "event" (a few days ago) where a bunch of idiots played a game of political posturing.
I thought I'd try to marry these things and present a way of thinking/feeling that didn't adhere to the usual narratives. I'm learning here, in the open on Substack, to be a better writer and I'm so pressed for time just now, so it's hard to write as I'd really like. But I'm so glad you see these things. I'm trying. I want to get better and craft some beautiful wordy journeys. Thanks for paying such attention Patris. I am grateful.
Enlightenment with myth and integration with spatial paragraphs that weave a fabric that I once used as a cape that I tied to my wrists and ankles thinking I could fly and like your magical rhythms soar off the edge of a sand pit to see my self at the bottom of my dream concoction cocktail an olive left alone wanting to try another drink of soul searching and reflection revealing in the wisps of wonder with day’s music played, heard and hummed and enjoyed waiting for your next episode with a grab of the horses mane to carry me to future horizon to be discovered. You are an inspiration with galactic energy.
It’s a stressful, stupid time we’re in (and what a descriptive vocabulary I’m using here eh).
You have a capacity to interject both movement and a shared physical ‘place’ as you write, and imagery that never fails to carry us through the experience you are expressing. That these experiences are real is even more impactful. Because I used to once swim into deep water this hit harder today. I don’t know if I could’ve stopped myself then from circling my arms around that horses neck.
There's something, isn't there, about the deep ocean, almost wombesque (I making up vocabulary now ;) that is tantalising and revealing? The same drive that swims us into the deep propelled us across the planet once. That was the time we all grabbed the horses neck.
Amazed. Your ability to transport is masterful, literally. And read through just to enjoy (what an inadequate word) it again in silence here. That I find Wes ahead of me here in comments is no surprise as he and his work came to mind as your imagery rolled over me.
You both have the capacity to shift space as I read (as does Paul).
Jonathan!!! Oh. My. Word! Your writing is so, so lovely!! I could read it all day. I wonder if, to the hare, you were her horse to watch passing you by and wondering where you could take her, if she hopped onto your back? And so fascinating how you couple these experiences with the debate. Wow! Wow, wow, wow!! Thank you. Beautiful. And that is something, in these times we are in! XO
What a brilliant thought, Danielle. It hadn't occurred to me to consider the hare's point of view in that particular way. Thanks so much, I'm going to take that with me and think about it. I'm always trying to introduce the reality of inter-weaved, multi-level, mutual dependency into my writing (to reflect the truth of life) so I really appreciate your highlighting something else too.
And thanks for being so generous in your appraisal, it really means a lot to me, kinda like fuel to the fire. 🙏🏽
I’m not able to open that link Wes,could you send it another link not through your gmail?
Fabulous! You were correct in recommending this beautiful essay to this thalassophile :)
I had to look up thalassophile! Thanks rena, so glad you enjoyed that :)
I love this, I could not grab hold of the horse for fear of subverting its course but to take time, witness & be just to be is wonderful.
Yep, the level of intervention is such a delicate choice. To ride or to witness. Maybe they are one and the same thing, who knows? I'm so glad you love this, me too :)
The delineation between illusion and delusion in our world is difficult to decipher. Whether we are the deluded, domesticated animal, or the dreamer allowing their safe passage to swim past, Jonathan draws the curtain back to show us a world faltering on the brink of madness -- drunk on peach nectar.
That’s a brilliant way to describe this piece Troy. Thanks for your beautiful insight.
The insights were all yours. I was just reflecting on them. Thanks for being a kindhearted soul who cares deeply about this planet.
Aye, this was awesome Jonathon. A good reminder for me to dive back through the older posts I missed. If I come back to Substack it will be for journeys like this.
I'm so glad you've surfaced, for a time at least, Leon. There's some more journeys and some love tales and some contemplation's waiting for you here if you do "come back" to Substack. All the best and I hope all's well.
Thank you Jonathon, yes all good here. I went cold turkey on the internet. All social media, all news, YouTube, even the weather haha. All my anxieties disappeared! Think I will remain off it for the most part but dip back into the Substacks that were worth the investment, yours included! Hope life is treating you well ❤️❤️❤️
That's is a good move Leon. I'm merely lowering my dosage, which isn't as brave as going cold turkey but has lessened my anxieties to a mere background uneasiness ;)
Life is good and hearts right back atcha :)
“…we saw a hare sitting in statuesque serenity, smack dab in the middle of ice, seemingly contemplating…”
Most likely wishing ,he too had a pair of cleated snow shoes for feet , just like his relatives. Proof of his prowess, he eyed the dog and stood silent, motionless, as if tempting. And the dog fell , right into his trap. Oh, the pleasure. You did not mention if the hare was smiling.
“…I sit and write this because maybe my meager words will tear a tiny hole in all this madness, through which we might reach and grab the manes of horses swimming by and slide upon their glistening backs and ride …”Shamelessly,I do not want to follow into darkness where you must go to find your truth in words. I think I’ll just step through the “tear” and wait here in the light. A respite , even for only a moment . Fear and delight all wrapped together as one. Exhilaration of the innocent child. Now it’s your turn.
You know very well where I’m sitting and who is beside me. Time to head out on the trail and walk Ranger, (before he eats the window sill)…
What a fantastic comment. Sometimes I have to read my writing back to understand what I was trying to say, what the symbolism is whispering back at me, and sometimes I can read comments to find out the same thing. Thanks Lor, excellent.
Am I correct that both the horse and the her incorporated within this dreamscape are references to Celtic mythology? Real or implied as otherworldly beings who remain among us. All of this is leading me further into waters with the young child.
Well, in general, right now I see so much antagonism in the political/social sphere. People being encouraged to engage in entrenched warfare. So many people fighting each other on behalf of power, instead of understanding their shared oppression. So in some way this is an attempt to describe the way in which we are herded toward that self-defeating division. And I'm always perplexed that the wonder and extraordinary beauty of being conscience social beings is so easily whittled down to egocentric narrow stupidity.
And yes, you're right (unsurprisingly) that the hare is partially derived from Ēostre, the Germanic Goddess of dawn and spring, which is supposed to represent the old seasonal rhythms and peoples attachment and dependence to and on the land, but also the confusion of the climate crises and our estrangement from each other and the land. While the horse for me represents hope and daring and opportunity and the possibility of change.
But all of these things have also happened. I did swim out into the ocean and I was surprised by a horse (some years ago). And I did see a hare (a week ago) nonchalantly teasing the dog. And I did have to endure a horrible "event" (a few days ago) where a bunch of idiots played a game of political posturing.
I thought I'd try to marry these things and present a way of thinking/feeling that didn't adhere to the usual narratives. I'm learning here, in the open on Substack, to be a better writer and I'm so pressed for time just now, so it's hard to write as I'd really like. But I'm so glad you see these things. I'm trying. I want to get better and craft some beautiful wordy journeys. Thanks for paying such attention Patris. I am grateful.
Enlightenment with myth and integration with spatial paragraphs that weave a fabric that I once used as a cape that I tied to my wrists and ankles thinking I could fly and like your magical rhythms soar off the edge of a sand pit to see my self at the bottom of my dream concoction cocktail an olive left alone wanting to try another drink of soul searching and reflection revealing in the wisps of wonder with day’s music played, heard and hummed and enjoyed waiting for your next episode with a grab of the horses mane to carry me to future horizon to be discovered. You are an inspiration with galactic energy.
Grab hold of that mane Richard and ride and ride. I see you are saddled up anyway. Your comment is a pleasure. Thank you.
Beautifully said - and true. Apart from other things Jonathan’s work is 3-dimensional
It’s a stressful, stupid time we’re in (and what a descriptive vocabulary I’m using here eh).
You have a capacity to interject both movement and a shared physical ‘place’ as you write, and imagery that never fails to carry us through the experience you are expressing. That these experiences are real is even more impactful. Because I used to once swim into deep water this hit harder today. I don’t know if I could’ve stopped myself then from circling my arms around that horses neck.
There's something, isn't there, about the deep ocean, almost wombesque (I making up vocabulary now ;) that is tantalising and revealing? The same drive that swims us into the deep propelled us across the planet once. That was the time we all grabbed the horses neck.
🙏🏽
Yes I was thinking it must be closest to a brains unconscious recall of the womb earlier. What a great image of riding that horse across the sea.
A sea horse that sees where to go over the next wave and linger awhile among the sargasso polyps with elvers swimming home in Gulf Stream flow.
Beautiful image
A poet’s passion to play with porpoises 🐬
Thanks Patris for asking the right questions that eluded me.
Amazed. Your ability to transport is masterful, literally. And read through just to enjoy (what an inadequate word) it again in silence here. That I find Wes ahead of me here in comments is no surprise as he and his work came to mind as your imagery rolled over me.
You both have the capacity to shift space as I read (as does Paul).
Beautiful beautiful work.
Jonathan, have you read this guy? Your mystical writing is in the same manner as his. Good job.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#trash/FMfcgzGxRnfqWPtMmgcWNrCmgFzPXXNq
Sorry Wes. messed up the reply:
I’m not able to open that link Wes,could you send it another link not through your gmail?
Jonathan!!! Oh. My. Word! Your writing is so, so lovely!! I could read it all day. I wonder if, to the hare, you were her horse to watch passing you by and wondering where you could take her, if she hopped onto your back? And so fascinating how you couple these experiences with the debate. Wow! Wow, wow, wow!! Thank you. Beautiful. And that is something, in these times we are in! XO
What a brilliant thought, Danielle. It hadn't occurred to me to consider the hare's point of view in that particular way. Thanks so much, I'm going to take that with me and think about it. I'm always trying to introduce the reality of inter-weaved, multi-level, mutual dependency into my writing (to reflect the truth of life) so I really appreciate your highlighting something else too.
And thanks for being so generous in your appraisal, it really means a lot to me, kinda like fuel to the fire. 🙏🏽
Fuel to the fire: Lol!! Right?
Yep. Whoosh :)
I am picturing not a gentle, contained fire, but a giant, wild and beautiful bonfire. Whoosh, indeed!!