This is my first reading of any of your works. “Moved,” might be one descriptor. I particularly resonated with “… I would gladly follow through the shimmer, I would follow without hesitation, I would reach out and pull myself through.” That brought to mind the (usually) older couples who have shared their lives and loves for decades, half centuries. It seems once the first of the couple passes into their next existence, the second shortly follows.
Thank you so much for Gary, and I'm very grateful you've taken the time to read my writing. You're so very welcome to read any of the other essays and stories on The Crow which I hope you can find something to resonate with.
I was thinking, when I wrote about "following through the shimmer", about the power and reality of love, and the way that our atomised, apparently individualised lives are really just a myth, and that the truth is that if you're able to share a deep trust and love with someone, then somehow you become a kind of unified togetherness, instead of an individual. I think its a truism really. The myth of there being any other way of living seems to emanate from a cold market, not from human hearts. As I get older I feel it more and more.
It’s hard to express the hugeness of love in our human world. The trauma without it, the ease with it. How love is undervalued is the last refuge of humanness in a market onslaught of our relationships. But most of all, how to describe the small, gentle beauty of love.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this Patris because I’ve not managed to capture any of it really, but isn’t that the way when our mere words diminish the hugeness of life and love :)
And yet you’ve expressed so much of what it’s like to have that kind of love, the amazement - as if there’s an ocean of it in the one drop we have been apportioned. How despite the turmoil of what life so generously provides, somehow a miracle’s been granted you.
As someone likewise astonished it feels so impossible yet familiar.
That's a wonderful description, an ocean in a drop. Exactly.
There's so much talk these days about what a person can get from "love", like so many other things, as if it were a utility to maximise. But love seems to be about what one gives, or compromises, or see's, or listens, not what one can acquire. That too is astonishing.
matters . Only the concentric gathering of love . Each year , a new layer , the essence of four hearts ( five if you count the dog, of course the dog). What a beautiful permanence of hearts.
Sharing what matters to you. You feel it all, then tell us about . Thank you.
Count the kids (young adults) too and it's five beating hearts. I would have recorded this one (I was thinking of your leather sofa and a cup of tea) but time is a harsh master sometimes.
This is very lovely and profound, and deeply felt, Jonathan. And a really good example of capturing the universal in the personal. Your beloved is both in the frame and not in the frame as your writing reaches out to speak to us all who have experienced this deeply felt comfort in feeling a union with someone we love.
I also have that deep connection with someone - it came later than I might have hoped but I feel so grateful to have found it. When we were first together I muttered to him one evening that if he died I would lie down and die with him, and I still mean it ( although I think my children would prefer I didn’t!) - but a part of me would die with him and only a part of me would exist in the day to day of getting by without him.
You’ve got me turning maudlin, and only the best writing that touches something profound can do that. Thank you for going there!
Thanks Lily, that’s such a generous (and kind) comment, and a really insightful observation, “capturing the universal in the personal”, because I’m trying to do exactly that, traverse the borders of subjectivity and lift the stone on all of our mutual experiences. Thanks for seeing that.
(I’m also very happy to hear of your death wishes too, in the nicest possible way ;)
Well, I assume a good bit of this is autobiographical. We have both been similarly blessed to have joined with someone, "That she is true love." It is the great, good fortune of my life. Nice writing too.
Glad to hear it Wes (although it was obvious of course).
Beautiful possibilities in this world when viewed through the lens of love. The current course of all things is veering toward danger, but a course-righting would easily happen with more love instead of more stuff as the main goal :) I shan't be holding my breath though
I am late to this as I only recently learned of your artistry but practiced steeling myself for tears to come. This has me sobbing. The enormity of love you describe with a gentle majesty takes my breath away. What a gift you give us. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece rena, thank you so much for your kind comment. It's hard to describe the majesty of love. Sometimes it's just the little things I guess, which then nurture the enormous things, like a garden. (And thanks you SO MUCH for you support as well, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it :)
This is my first reading of any of your works. “Moved,” might be one descriptor. I particularly resonated with “… I would gladly follow through the shimmer, I would follow without hesitation, I would reach out and pull myself through.” That brought to mind the (usually) older couples who have shared their lives and loves for decades, half centuries. It seems once the first of the couple passes into their next existence, the second shortly follows.
It appears you have written their vows.
Thank you so much for Gary, and I'm very grateful you've taken the time to read my writing. You're so very welcome to read any of the other essays and stories on The Crow which I hope you can find something to resonate with.
I was thinking, when I wrote about "following through the shimmer", about the power and reality of love, and the way that our atomised, apparently individualised lives are really just a myth, and that the truth is that if you're able to share a deep trust and love with someone, then somehow you become a kind of unified togetherness, instead of an individual. I think its a truism really. The myth of there being any other way of living seems to emanate from a cold market, not from human hearts. As I get older I feel it more and more.
Thanks again Gary, glad you've got here :)
I’m awake early here and reading and rereading this. Such beauty, all of it.
It’s hard to express the hugeness of love in our human world. The trauma without it, the ease with it. How love is undervalued is the last refuge of humanness in a market onslaught of our relationships. But most of all, how to describe the small, gentle beauty of love.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this Patris because I’ve not managed to capture any of it really, but isn’t that the way when our mere words diminish the hugeness of life and love :)
And yet you’ve expressed so much of what it’s like to have that kind of love, the amazement - as if there’s an ocean of it in the one drop we have been apportioned. How despite the turmoil of what life so generously provides, somehow a miracle’s been granted you.
As someone likewise astonished it feels so impossible yet familiar.
That's a wonderful description, an ocean in a drop. Exactly.
There's so much talk these days about what a person can get from "love", like so many other things, as if it were a utility to maximise. But love seems to be about what one gives, or compromises, or see's, or listens, not what one can acquire. That too is astonishing.
All this, Jonathan. Yes, and a capacity to see.
The simplicity that nothing else
matters . Only the concentric gathering of love . Each year , a new layer , the essence of four hearts ( five if you count the dog, of course the dog). What a beautiful permanence of hearts.
Sharing what matters to you. You feel it all, then tell us about . Thank you.
Count the kids (young adults) too and it's five beating hearts. I would have recorded this one (I was thinking of your leather sofa and a cup of tea) but time is a harsh master sometimes.
Thanks Lor!
Amended♥️
Wow, an excellent piece. So thoughtful and written with a masterful stroke of style.
I truly appreciate that Stanley, thanks :)
Best thing I have read this morning. Really enjoyed this. Thank you.
Thanks so much Matthew, I'm really glad you enjoyed this. (I loved writing it too :)
Prose that takes your breath away with a deep understanding of the (yes) shimmering power and reality of love. "And the beauty of words left unsaid"
Thanks Paul, I feel really honoured :)
This is a beautiful capture of a small window of time, and the essence of another ⭐️. Nicely done!
That's really kind of you to say Brian, thanks so much :)
This is very lovely and profound, and deeply felt, Jonathan. And a really good example of capturing the universal in the personal. Your beloved is both in the frame and not in the frame as your writing reaches out to speak to us all who have experienced this deeply felt comfort in feeling a union with someone we love.
I also have that deep connection with someone - it came later than I might have hoped but I feel so grateful to have found it. When we were first together I muttered to him one evening that if he died I would lie down and die with him, and I still mean it ( although I think my children would prefer I didn’t!) - but a part of me would die with him and only a part of me would exist in the day to day of getting by without him.
You’ve got me turning maudlin, and only the best writing that touches something profound can do that. Thank you for going there!
Thanks Lily, that’s such a generous (and kind) comment, and a really insightful observation, “capturing the universal in the personal”, because I’m trying to do exactly that, traverse the borders of subjectivity and lift the stone on all of our mutual experiences. Thanks for seeing that.
(I’m also very happy to hear of your death wishes too, in the nicest possible way ;)
Jonathan your prose is so prophetic and lyrical. Beautiful and inspiring 💜
That’s a very generous (and inspiring) comment Swarnali, thanks so much 🙏🏼
Well, I assume a good bit of this is autobiographical. We have both been similarly blessed to have joined with someone, "That she is true love." It is the great, good fortune of my life. Nice writing too.
Glad to hear it Wes (although it was obvious of course).
Beautiful possibilities in this world when viewed through the lens of love. The current course of all things is veering toward danger, but a course-righting would easily happen with more love instead of more stuff as the main goal :) I shan't be holding my breath though
I found your writing for the first time today. This is profound and beautiful.
Thank you so much Linda, I'm so glad you've connected with this piece. I hope you find more to enjoy too :)
I am late to this as I only recently learned of your artistry but practiced steeling myself for tears to come. This has me sobbing. The enormity of love you describe with a gentle majesty takes my breath away. What a gift you give us. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece rena, thank you so much for your kind comment. It's hard to describe the majesty of love. Sometimes it's just the little things I guess, which then nurture the enormous things, like a garden. (And thanks you SO MUCH for you support as well, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it :)
So very beautiful as I read this within my own unfolding early morning, coffee in hand. Thank you. 🙏
Glad you enjoyed this piece Jo, I’m so grateful you’ve found it to read. Have a beautiful day :)
This too.. magical!
🙏🏽
Thank you for pausing in the shimmer of moments. Your words are breath...and life. Gentler now is the world because of this gift! Please keep looking.
🙏🏼
Beautiful and intelligent.
Welcome Adam, thanks so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it.
I'd love you to have a have a read through some other pieces too, maybe give a few things a try? Here's a few random of suggestions:
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-murmuration-of-memories
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-perpetual-collapse-in-spectacular
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-wild-and-tumbling-wind