"the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions", that's a beautifully poetic way to put it Patris, thanks so much for your kind words.
Jonathan, you have given a powerful lesson in letting go of the unnecessary burdens in silence. The will to release is what we must seek, or we will be captive of bad memories instead of shedding them. Bravo again!
There’s an interesting phenomenon in writing, I think, where the personal and the universal experience merge into one. A very communal human capacity, to empathise and feel, is embedded in reading and writing. It’s wonderful.
Thanks for your kind comment Diane, I’m so glad you’re connecting with my writing
…and I discovered they were not the telling of me…
The loosening grip on personal narrative is such a necessary exhale of identity. Like learning one’s scales in order to improvise, the form, too, is essential, and then one day like your own lifted starlings, is not.
This was amazing - and yet I could not go there yet. I had to first claim my voice for if I didn’t I would have failed myself. Then I find the silence - but I am alone there. For me, that was the price of choosing life.
This is gorgeous - from the title onward. Merits several readings (Like the kind where I print out the pages to hold). So happy to have bumped into you where neither of us belong.
Thanks Ren and me too pal, you can find something wonderful anywhere I guess if you look hard enough :) BTW. I really enjoyed your past piece too, thought we might share a wave length when it came to these things after reading that one 👍🏽
From the layered intro, with so many perfect metaphors, to the heart piece of realisation that stories are "the keepers of our hearts”…
... which become shattered in the futile seeking of truth...
And finally the release of memories "like a murmuration of starlings". Incredible!
You have an amazing gift for creating metaphor, Jonathan.
I am reading the entire piece as a metaphor of the experience of life, where the journey is the destination ~ the plot the human story of wrestling with questions that have no right answer, and yet in the end the hero stumbles upon the treasure despite himself ~ the three children of love who set him/you/everyone free.
You know, one of the real pleasures of Substack isn't just the sharing of writing and reaching readers and all that, but the attentive thoughtful reading and smart critiques of the writing that we are sometimes privileged to get.
I love "a metaphor of the experience of life" and I agree, absolutely. And this - the plot the human story of wrestling with questions that have no right answer - is a pretty good summing up of almost everything I write I think! Thank you so much for your deep reading Veronika 🙏🏽
I know, the deeper conversations with other writers... these are true gifts that nourish the writer's soul.
I also enjoy how good writing draws me into the attentive reading, spilling over into well written comments. It's how we can inspire each other... You are most welcome
“The mental henchmen” creates a powerful visual for me in a good way. So many stories I’ve been told through my years that I don’t remember being a part of, yet supposedly I was.
Forgiveness is a merciful friend, which when followed by forgetting can complete the needed healing. Thank you Jonathan
There are times when reading a piece of work that probes tender places, those hidden inside the most inner dark folds, feelings emerge that I can't adequately express in English. And I curse myself for this lack of skill/knowledge? because it takes me eons to write a comment and I don't even get close to what I really want to say. And then a little voice laughs in my head and asks me, "Didn't you just understand everything you just read?" Well, I did, and the most important thing is how that made me feel. And all I can say is thank you, Jonathan.
Thanks Fotini, I’m so glad you’ve read this and enjoyed this piece.
I know what you mean about language, I feel the same in Swedish. Sometimes when I’m speaking it’s like I’m reading lines written by someone else rather than speaking my own, like there’s a minuscule distance between the words and myself. (Your English sees impeccable to me!).
What a heady celebration of a piece you wrote here! Gave me the happy brain-tingles. Love how you use vowel sounds so musically in your writing. Will be revisiting this one.
Beautiful, my family stories were popping into my head as I read this, the many things we have framed to be retold or hidden to forget. Lovely piece, that I'll come back to again!!
Thank you Jonathan, this is a beautiful article that will stay with in me, snaking into my memories and forming new threads. I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Patris said it best and I have little to add. I cannot capture enough words to describe all the feelings your article brings forth, dear Jonathan. I will be printing and sharing this, while reflecting upon it for many moons.
Yes, the depth of our illusions continually arise with hopes we shall one day comprehend the complexity of our lives and dreams. Blessings for your fascinating perspective. 🥰
Humbled by the depth of comprehension of family and memory and the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions.
"the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions", that's a beautifully poetic way to put it Patris, thanks so much for your kind words.
You captured a memory of mine in yours, Jonathan. I thank you.
Jonathan, you have given a powerful lesson in letting go of the unnecessary burdens in silence. The will to release is what we must seek, or we will be captive of bad memories instead of shedding them. Bravo again!
There’s an interesting phenomenon in writing, I think, where the personal and the universal experience merge into one. A very communal human capacity, to empathise and feel, is embedded in reading and writing. It’s wonderful.
Thanks for your kind comment Diane, I’m so glad you’re connecting with my writing
Thank you, Jonathan. I’m glad I found you!
Than you!
…and I discovered they were not the telling of me…
The loosening grip on personal narrative is such a necessary exhale of identity. Like learning one’s scales in order to improvise, the form, too, is essential, and then one day like your own lifted starlings, is not.
Beautifully said, and quite right :)
So, so beautiful and lovely. Thank you for sharing this!
And thank you for reading and commenting so kindly Danielle :)
This was amazing - and yet I could not go there yet. I had to first claim my voice for if I didn’t I would have failed myself. Then I find the silence - but I am alone there. For me, that was the price of choosing life.
Thanks Kelly, and all power to you :)
This is gorgeous - from the title onward. Merits several readings (Like the kind where I print out the pages to hold). So happy to have bumped into you where neither of us belong.
Thanks Ren and me too pal, you can find something wonderful anywhere I guess if you look hard enough :) BTW. I really enjoyed your past piece too, thought we might share a wave length when it came to these things after reading that one 👍🏽
I actually thought, reading this, that you had read that!
A beautiful and powerful piece!
From the layered intro, with so many perfect metaphors, to the heart piece of realisation that stories are "the keepers of our hearts”…
... which become shattered in the futile seeking of truth...
And finally the release of memories "like a murmuration of starlings". Incredible!
You have an amazing gift for creating metaphor, Jonathan.
I am reading the entire piece as a metaphor of the experience of life, where the journey is the destination ~ the plot the human story of wrestling with questions that have no right answer, and yet in the end the hero stumbles upon the treasure despite himself ~ the three children of love who set him/you/everyone free.
This comes from a deep well of timeless wisdom.
You know, one of the real pleasures of Substack isn't just the sharing of writing and reaching readers and all that, but the attentive thoughtful reading and smart critiques of the writing that we are sometimes privileged to get.
I love "a metaphor of the experience of life" and I agree, absolutely. And this - the plot the human story of wrestling with questions that have no right answer - is a pretty good summing up of almost everything I write I think! Thank you so much for your deep reading Veronika 🙏🏽
I know, the deeper conversations with other writers... these are true gifts that nourish the writer's soul.
I also enjoy how good writing draws me into the attentive reading, spilling over into well written comments. It's how we can inspire each other... You are most welcome
“The mental henchmen” creates a powerful visual for me in a good way. So many stories I’ve been told through my years that I don’t remember being a part of, yet supposedly I was.
Forgiveness is a merciful friend, which when followed by forgetting can complete the needed healing. Thank you Jonathan
That such a great comment Teyani, thanks! (I liked that line too!). 🙏🏼
There are times when reading a piece of work that probes tender places, those hidden inside the most inner dark folds, feelings emerge that I can't adequately express in English. And I curse myself for this lack of skill/knowledge? because it takes me eons to write a comment and I don't even get close to what I really want to say. And then a little voice laughs in my head and asks me, "Didn't you just understand everything you just read?" Well, I did, and the most important thing is how that made me feel. And all I can say is thank you, Jonathan.
Thanks Fotini, I’m so glad you’ve read this and enjoyed this piece.
I know what you mean about language, I feel the same in Swedish. Sometimes when I’m speaking it’s like I’m reading lines written by someone else rather than speaking my own, like there’s a minuscule distance between the words and myself. (Your English sees impeccable to me!).
Anyway, so happy you’re here
Happy to be around, Jonathan!
I think that 'minuscule distance' describes perfectly the feeling...
Good grief, I’m sighing again…. You make me throw down my pen!
Divine and thought provoking writing which I have saved to read again…
Thank you 🙏🏼. I’m very touched at your generosity. Ok, I hope I’m not pushing my luck but I’m going to suggest one more:
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-love-letter-a-kind-of-prayer-a
Not at all… It is highly likely I will read many more of your letters, perhaps you might find a few minutes to read one of mine too… :-)
https://open.substack.com/pub/ahillandi/p/february-endlesslywalking?r=1mrn9s&utm_medium=ios
What a heady celebration of a piece you wrote here! Gave me the happy brain-tingles. Love how you use vowel sounds so musically in your writing. Will be revisiting this one.
That’s so interesting, it’s never occurred to me that I do that, with vowels. So glad you like this one :)
This is powerful honest writing. Comes straight from the heart.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Lily. Bit risky suggesting a piece really. So I’m relieved :)
Beautiful, my family stories were popping into my head as I read this, the many things we have framed to be retold or hidden to forget. Lovely piece, that I'll come back to again!!
Thanks Dinah. So much universality in all of our individual experiences. Different, different but same :)
Thank you Jonathan, this is a beautiful article that will stay with in me, snaking into my memories and forming new threads. I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Emma. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.
Nothing short of profound
Thanks for reading and commenting Nancy. I’m so pleased you’ve connected with my writing here :)
Patris said it best and I have little to add. I cannot capture enough words to describe all the feelings your article brings forth, dear Jonathan. I will be printing and sharing this, while reflecting upon it for many moons.
Yes, the depth of our illusions continually arise with hopes we shall one day comprehend the complexity of our lives and dreams. Blessings for your fascinating perspective. 🥰
I’m so glad you found something to connect to in my writing Florence. Thanks for your kind words