Maybe my hoopoes fly to where your trolls and fairies abide. A hopeful thought would be that the insects are with them too, but we both know that is not the case.
I am struggling with hope lately.
I started reading "The Dawn of Everything." I am still on the first quarter of the book and as much as I like it I get frustrated and angry and despaired with the things humans did and still do up to this day.
And then I read your words and I say to myself: not all is lost, not when there are humans out there who think like this.
I'm so glad you're reading The Dawn of Everything (I'm a few essays into The Unexpected Universe, and I'm loving it, thanks for that). I felt the same - anguish and anger in some way, like where did it all go wrong? How did "we" allow ourselves to fuck things up so much. Why did we fall for the hierarchy?
Anyway, you're right, there are real and beautiful people out there yearning for something else...and tipping points happen in the right direction too, sometimes. But until then every warm connection in these moment is valuable and powerful, so thanks for reading and being such a poetical cool human Fotini (I know it sound stupid but so what :)
Love where this piece goes, Jonathan. Love as source. Calling for self awareness and courage. I'm writing something at the moment that crosses what you say here.
This is truth for our time. Calling for connection in an increasingly lonely world. Calling for us to unfurl from our protective shells.
Thank you so much, The Sea in Me (what a brilliant name). I love your comment and (obviously) I agree with you.
"This is truth for our time. Calling for connection in an increasingly lonely world. Calling for us to unfurl from our protective shells. " ...yes, exactly what I am saying (always saying). I'm so glad you've found you way here and I'm looking forward to reading your take on this too.
I can’t sleep. 2:50 am. Maybe if I had a dog that could listen to me ponder my wandering mind. The richness of travels in the fields following a pathway to somewhere. I believe live could’ve had something to do with my sleeplessness. That’s my point. I’ll return to try to sleep, thanks for the good shoal of red herrings. Makes me want to open a can of sardines.
Ahh Richard, I also spent a few sleepless nights last week, but the dog was far off into his private dream world (oh what does he see?) and cared not for my restlessness.
Open your sardines and read this one. It's an insomniacs dream :)
Yes another read into the - degree centigrade woods where the crow appears to reply and provide a reprieve of love and you find yourself back in the arms of one to warn the heart.
I once too passed a St Bernard lying in the snow while I walked up a hill under clear starlight. Only to stop and make a snow angel. Then realized I left a love waiting at the house.
Thanks for another read. I feel a comfortable feeling of sleep approaching.
"I had wanted to post a beautiful tale of Love this week, but I made the foolish error of paying attention the international political circus, which tipped me into a gentle melancholy and I ended up writing the above." <---- My mood for the last seven months!
Also, I loved what you wrote. No one misses the insects until we understand what their absence really means...
It’s strange isn’t it? That we see the dust storm coming, we know what will happen when it arrives, yet we are still left surprised by its very existence.
We know this modern political circus can only accommodate clowns, where even the good ones are not good, and still we’re surprised when we take our seats ringside to discover nothing but clowns.
Thanks for being an open eyed proper hearted human Troy.
Thanks Jonny Than. Beautiful writing, I’ve a few to catch up on, you have a brilliant way of capturing the obscenity within beauty! My dog also gives out the old side eye treatment, probably not at anything so profound though!
I seem to journey between one shocking internet connection to another… I apologize for my tardiness in replying to your honest missive my friend…
Our time is plagued with liars and cheats and capitalist pigs who give not the slightest damn for humankind, for our planet and its tears of rage that flow ever more frequently…
You write “This forest may be full of mythical creatures dancing through the shadows, but our cities are bubbling over with actual bone-fide, real-life demons casting their spells in the bright light of day.” These demons that haunt our days and, as a consequence our nights too are clever, but will they ever have enough wisdom to win such a worldwide battle? The result of greed is rarely beautiful, neither is it profitable!
Far from not writing of love, your love shines through, for your dog friend, - was there ever a better listener? In the fears and sadnesses of how we are duped into believing this and that is best when we know otherwise.
Keep writing of love!! I rely on the fact that you and others will for without ‘us’ we truly are doomed!
With wishes for a gentle day from my rustic holiday retreat, and yes we all send love.
Thanks so much Susie, and unsurprisingly I couldn't agree more with you. We've developed and are embedded in an historical set of values that are at odds with the sustaining complex life and with the human condition. The micro-cultures of the powerful are a direct result of these values and, as you rightly intimate, are threatening the existence of all of us life forms.
I'm so glad you appreciate these writings because it worries me somtimes that I'm just too depressing to read!
Magnificent. Living as fully as possible a chemical-free life for a long time, I find myself in a constant state of mourning. I run a successful Catch and Release program out of my home :) Alternated solemnly nodding and that laugh-out-loud thing. Familiar with side-eyes :) Well done!
So glad you've found your way here rena (thanks Paul). And thank you for the kind comment, I really appreciate it. I get you too, this underlying mourning isn't wonderful.
I sometimes suggest a post for new folks, so let me suggest this one:
“No matter what ordeal or adventure they invent, the climax will always be the same. Eventually you’ll be dispossessed of something essential. Whatever it might be, they’ll come and they’ll try to make you theirs.” I appreciate your wide lens on “they” - - too often humans point to this whole they embrace that, or exalt one trapping and scorn another. The world is full of these demons of dispossession, turning humans into hungry ghosts. So grateful you and your dog could wander a while on trails of Love.
That' a great observation Kimberly. It's the tendency to prey upon one another and turn each other into "assets" that comes with seeing the world through certain values that is so astounding. From the narcissistic lover to the gambling company to organised religion and political "sects", they all dehumanise for their own gain and as you so perfectly say, thery "turn humans into hungry ghosts".
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Kimberly. I so appreciate it :)
Ah,but it is a story of love. Yours and Benny’s. Man and dog sharing the simple pleasures of companionship. He knows your every hand jester, the changes in your tone of voice . And always reading your silence .
“…he saunters beside me when he’d prefer to run wild, his kindly heart preferring to comfort my obvious confusion than to satisfy his hankering.”
Maybe he’s thinking, let’s stay right here in the forest . We don’t have to go out there.
I love all the hidden meanings in this post. Like tiny treasures just waiting to be found behind the next word.
“To expose our vulnerabilities and accept the vulnerabilities of others is to Love.”
Benny is filled with wisdom. I can almost hear him too. You know, it’s nice to include Benny in the conversation once in awhile. What are you thinking ? ‘Thank you Lord of Dogs, for giving me selective hearing.‘
Can you imagine a life without our furry companions, makes me shiver just thinking about it.
Yes, a story of love, a yearning for love. I remember writing in Reaching After Fact And Reason the sentence "They float about with graceful expertise, both fulfilling their tasks with the confidence of people who have felt love," And I guess there's something in that, somethi9ng about these demons and the terrible famine of Love in general.
I'm so glads you see all the hidden meanings. I'm always writing on various levels and I'm never sure how successful that is...but it's working, thanks Lor.
Maybe my hoopoes fly to where your trolls and fairies abide. A hopeful thought would be that the insects are with them too, but we both know that is not the case.
I am struggling with hope lately.
I started reading "The Dawn of Everything." I am still on the first quarter of the book and as much as I like it I get frustrated and angry and despaired with the things humans did and still do up to this day.
And then I read your words and I say to myself: not all is lost, not when there are humans out there who think like this.
I'm so glad you're reading The Dawn of Everything (I'm a few essays into The Unexpected Universe, and I'm loving it, thanks for that). I felt the same - anguish and anger in some way, like where did it all go wrong? How did "we" allow ourselves to fuck things up so much. Why did we fall for the hierarchy?
Anyway, you're right, there are real and beautiful people out there yearning for something else...and tipping points happen in the right direction too, sometimes. But until then every warm connection in these moment is valuable and powerful, so thanks for reading and being such a poetical cool human Fotini (I know it sound stupid but so what :)
🙏🏽
Loren Eiseley’s writing is just brilliant.
It's always such a pleasure being introduced to new( old) writers you had no ide existed, then a whole new door opens ...
I think I’ve said it before: a 7th grade teacher gave me a copy of The Immense Journey and it changed my life.
Ok remember that Paul, such a pivotal point that teacher offered, wonderful
I really like the sound of it :)
Thank you, Jonathan!!!
I like when the writer takes me to a every single small detail
Takes myself inside the lines
When in those micro seconds I can think about the person behind writing and then i loose myself again into the narrative
✨
💕
Thats was a very generous comment Berkana, thank you 🙏🏽
Love where this piece goes, Jonathan. Love as source. Calling for self awareness and courage. I'm writing something at the moment that crosses what you say here.
This is truth for our time. Calling for connection in an increasingly lonely world. Calling for us to unfurl from our protective shells.
Thank you so much, The Sea in Me (what a brilliant name). I love your comment and (obviously) I agree with you.
"This is truth for our time. Calling for connection in an increasingly lonely world. Calling for us to unfurl from our protective shells. " ...yes, exactly what I am saying (always saying). I'm so glad you've found you way here and I'm looking forward to reading your take on this too.
I'll tag you, you've upped the ante!
Ahh yes, the old ever rising ante, up up and away!
I subscribed to your Substack. It’s right up my street. Love your recordings. Here’s one of mine the you’ve time:
https://open.substack.com/pub/jonathanfostersthecrow/p/scribble-and-shout?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I'll read this now, thank you Jonathan.
Or listen…
I can’t sleep. 2:50 am. Maybe if I had a dog that could listen to me ponder my wandering mind. The richness of travels in the fields following a pathway to somewhere. I believe live could’ve had something to do with my sleeplessness. That’s my point. I’ll return to try to sleep, thanks for the good shoal of red herrings. Makes me want to open a can of sardines.
Ahh Richard, I also spent a few sleepless nights last week, but the dog was far off into his private dream world (oh what does he see?) and cared not for my restlessness.
Open your sardines and read this one. It's an insomniacs dream :)
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/dew-drops-sparkling-on-eternity
Yes another read into the - degree centigrade woods where the crow appears to reply and provide a reprieve of love and you find yourself back in the arms of one to warn the heart.
I once too passed a St Bernard lying in the snow while I walked up a hill under clear starlight. Only to stop and make a snow angel. Then realized I left a love waiting at the house.
Thanks for another read. I feel a comfortable feeling of sleep approaching.
Night night, enjoy :)
Wow. Sublime writing, and I want to now meet the fae.
"I had wanted to post a beautiful tale of Love this week, but I made the foolish error of paying attention the international political circus, which tipped me into a gentle melancholy and I ended up writing the above." <---- My mood for the last seven months!
Also, I loved what you wrote. No one misses the insects until we understand what their absence really means...
It’s strange isn’t it? That we see the dust storm coming, we know what will happen when it arrives, yet we are still left surprised by its very existence.
We know this modern political circus can only accommodate clowns, where even the good ones are not good, and still we’re surprised when we take our seats ringside to discover nothing but clowns.
Thanks for being an open eyed proper hearted human Troy.
Thanks Jonny Than. Beautiful writing, I’ve a few to catch up on, you have a brilliant way of capturing the obscenity within beauty! My dog also gives out the old side eye treatment, probably not at anything so profound though!
Thanks Dinah, a kernel of obscenity wrapped in beauty. Sounds like me 😂
I seem to journey between one shocking internet connection to another… I apologize for my tardiness in replying to your honest missive my friend…
Our time is plagued with liars and cheats and capitalist pigs who give not the slightest damn for humankind, for our planet and its tears of rage that flow ever more frequently…
You write “This forest may be full of mythical creatures dancing through the shadows, but our cities are bubbling over with actual bone-fide, real-life demons casting their spells in the bright light of day.” These demons that haunt our days and, as a consequence our nights too are clever, but will they ever have enough wisdom to win such a worldwide battle? The result of greed is rarely beautiful, neither is it profitable!
Far from not writing of love, your love shines through, for your dog friend, - was there ever a better listener? In the fears and sadnesses of how we are duped into believing this and that is best when we know otherwise.
Keep writing of love!! I rely on the fact that you and others will for without ‘us’ we truly are doomed!
With wishes for a gentle day from my rustic holiday retreat, and yes we all send love.
Thanks so much Susie, and unsurprisingly I couldn't agree more with you. We've developed and are embedded in an historical set of values that are at odds with the sustaining complex life and with the human condition. The micro-cultures of the powerful are a direct result of these values and, as you rightly intimate, are threatening the existence of all of us life forms.
I'm so glad you appreciate these writings because it worries me somtimes that I'm just too depressing to read!
Magnificent. Living as fully as possible a chemical-free life for a long time, I find myself in a constant state of mourning. I run a successful Catch and Release program out of my home :) Alternated solemnly nodding and that laugh-out-loud thing. Familiar with side-eyes :) Well done!
Thanking Paul for guiding me here!
So glad you've found your way here rena (thanks Paul). And thank you for the kind comment, I really appreciate it. I get you too, this underlying mourning isn't wonderful.
I sometimes suggest a post for new folks, so let me suggest this one:
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-horse-a-hare-and-a-peach
Thank you!
Such a good, rich flow and best of all, it's heading someplace. Dogs are such long suffering listeners, aren't they?
Yep, the dog has saved me a fortune in therapy bills ;) No Bullshit Therapy for only the cost of a walk!
They are very good listeners and a walk is better than sitting on a couch. Just being in the company of such a decent creature is therapeutic.
I reckon that's what the dog thinks too ;)
“No matter what ordeal or adventure they invent, the climax will always be the same. Eventually you’ll be dispossessed of something essential. Whatever it might be, they’ll come and they’ll try to make you theirs.” I appreciate your wide lens on “they” - - too often humans point to this whole they embrace that, or exalt one trapping and scorn another. The world is full of these demons of dispossession, turning humans into hungry ghosts. So grateful you and your dog could wander a while on trails of Love.
That' a great observation Kimberly. It's the tendency to prey upon one another and turn each other into "assets" that comes with seeing the world through certain values that is so astounding. From the narcissistic lover to the gambling company to organised religion and political "sects", they all dehumanise for their own gain and as you so perfectly say, thery "turn humans into hungry ghosts".
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Kimberly. I so appreciate it :)
Ah,but it is a story of love. Yours and Benny’s. Man and dog sharing the simple pleasures of companionship. He knows your every hand jester, the changes in your tone of voice . And always reading your silence .
“…he saunters beside me when he’d prefer to run wild, his kindly heart preferring to comfort my obvious confusion than to satisfy his hankering.”
Maybe he’s thinking, let’s stay right here in the forest . We don’t have to go out there.
I love all the hidden meanings in this post. Like tiny treasures just waiting to be found behind the next word.
“To expose our vulnerabilities and accept the vulnerabilities of others is to Love.”
Benny is filled with wisdom. I can almost hear him too. You know, it’s nice to include Benny in the conversation once in awhile. What are you thinking ? ‘Thank you Lord of Dogs, for giving me selective hearing.‘
Can you imagine a life without our furry companions, makes me shiver just thinking about it.
Yes, a story of love, a yearning for love. I remember writing in Reaching After Fact And Reason the sentence "They float about with graceful expertise, both fulfilling their tasks with the confidence of people who have felt love," And I guess there's something in that, somethi9ng about these demons and the terrible famine of Love in general.
I'm so glads you see all the hidden meanings. I'm always writing on various levels and I'm never sure how successful that is...but it's working, thanks Lor.
Benny give you andf Ranger a nod :)
Thanks so much Tam. I guess you mean the dog? He is a cool dude, you’d love him 👍🏼