It seems quite fitting that your song, Jonathan, has travelled through cables crossing the bottom of the sea and resurfaced with haunting and loving force in the form of pixels on my screen this morning.
I am in awe.
I have no words to match yours, but I would like to offer you something in return: photographer's Michaela Skovranova project called "Love Scars". I read it many years ago, but it came to my mind and it seems quite fitting too.
OMG, those photos are incredible. Just mesmerising. Thanks so much, I love them.
And thanks for the kind words. My sister said the other day, that I was the funniest person she knew (correct), and that I was calm and full of joy for life, so why do I keep writing depressing things? Why don't I just write joyful stuff? she asked. I said I was writing joyful stuff, but you had to dig a little to find it. Thanks for digging Fotini. I truly appreciate it :)
Thank you for giving me something to dig, Jonathan. I have found more than I could have imagined in your writing. Thank you! And by the way, tell your sister that I smile every time I read your stuff.
This entire post reads like a poem. A poem of generations.
“I knew I need do nothing more in this life than strive to eventually live well in my daughter’s memory.”
I cannot think of anything more
beautiful . A life well spent. I ‘know’ you through your sharing. And, I see you. If I were asked to define the best about you Jonathan, a reflection in your writing, is that you always carry your heart , where ever you go.
“So careful shall I be, with the tenderness of the human heart…”
Except one day, and may that be many years from now, you’ll know just the place to lay your heart. To keep safe all your love and memories. To be lived out again through the next generation. And so on, and on.
When I read “…and with gentle hands shall I reach through the shimmer…”Your words reminded me of something I wrote the next morning after watching the Solar Eclipse this past April, right in the center of the path of Totality. Birds fell silent , as if it were night. I could not come up with a single word to describe.
I had this intense feeling, and I searched for a meaning because somehow I felt the need to label it.
These are not my words, but a definition of a ‘thin place’.
“…in these places, certain invisible things— like music or love or memory or art—become suddenly visible. Barriers between the you and not-you, the real and unreal, the worldly and otherworldly, dissolve.
“…heaven and earth are only three feet apart…”
“…but in the thin place that distance is even smaller. “
I read this with a keen sense of awe in the truth. And I thought, these might be some of the words I’m looking for. Feels as though it might just be a ‘thin place’.
In those moments , strangers watching became friends. I sat next to someone who had that attitude of, ok, I’ll watch, ‘but what’s the big deal “. Afterwards, he had tears in his eyes. Across the lake, a crowd sent out a massive cheer like a rock concert. It still sends shivers just thinking about it. On a side note, You may want to check out Paul Winter Consort along with whale sounds.
What a brilliant piece of writing, Lor. "in these places, certain invisible things— like music or love or memory or art—become suddenly visible." - I've felt this too, the magicalness of certain places. (When will you start your Substack?). And I love that Paul Winter track. Amazing. Thanks for that link.
I'm so grateful for your observation about carrying my heart. That's true. A strength and a weakness all at once. It's an amazing side effect from writing here that I can learn so much about my writing through reading how it lands with others. Your comments are incredibly supportive. Thank you so much.
Me, having my own Substack? Way too much anxiety having to ‘perform’ on a regular basis. Stage fright and all that. I would much rather continue reading wonderful posts from my favorite authors. And trying to graciously send a thank you that is usually way too long.
Breathtaking. “one day, as the domino’s fall, my time would come and she would be my memory keeper in this ever blossoming, self-perpetuating cycle of life.”
And thank you Jonathan. Such rich prose. I must try this form sometime for more explanation on what I'm trying to express. My words and meaning are interpreted as the reader is, in that moment. Lose and find their way in that, maybe I allow that even more the more I write.
Coincidentally I had a comment on my latest piece on asking meaning that inspired me to do an quick audio explanation, see what you think if you get a chance. It's called 'lemon leaf'
🙏🏽 Thanks Patris. Im so appreciative of your observations, and I'm getting the feeling after these months that somehow the less you say the better I'm writing :)
Deeply touched by this...My own father passed 4 months ago, I am the keeper of his memory...and my own daughters, I cherish the moments and memories made with them. Jonathan, this is really beautiful...thank you
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Christine, my warmest condolences to you.
And, thank you so much, I am genuinely touched by your kind reply here. I often write to express the beauty (and agony) of life and relationships and our shared experiences as fellow human beings. I so want readers to feel something and be seen in these pieces, so thank you for finding something here 🙏🏽
Amazed how words connect pieces of lives together with pumped oxygen aged blood that opens arteries to breathe new life into old blue cells craving for love.
Round and round we go, a wordy snow-globe, connecting everything, imposing order where none shall be, chiselling out reality, round and round the sun, we go.
Incredible incredible piece Jonathan. Beauty in so many relationships, and especially poignant in the relationship that was moved forward after the other died. Beautiful and striking work.
Exquisite, breathtaking, haunting... “So careful shall I be, with the tenderness of the human heart…” I believe that you truly are Jonathan, that you are so acutely aware of this necessity that you wear your own for all to see so they may treat you with equal measures of care and tenderness.
"And that unbroken hearts were very rare. Maybe they only existed very early in the morning, just after waking, just before remembering." I believe hearts that are unbroken ever, do not have the same capacity of understanding the how, as those that have. I believe we learn this not from those we fall in love with but those we bring into this life. "...and she would be my memory keeper in this ever blossoming, self-perpetuating cycle of life.” so true, the reason for love and care and tenderness, the reason to keep her safe, to hold warmly her hand... but of course you know that joy already!
This essay, no, this poem, will stay with me for a very long time - thank you, I wish you peace and whale song 🕊
I've missed your voice singing in my universe, Jonathan. This is an incredibly beautiful and moving piece. The depth of your soul never ceases to amaze me, and the ache and love you've expressed here is a tribute to that.
Glad to see you here Troy! I have thought about once in a while, wondering about your absence and hoping you were good. Thanks for the kind words Troy :)
It seems quite fitting that your song, Jonathan, has travelled through cables crossing the bottom of the sea and resurfaced with haunting and loving force in the form of pixels on my screen this morning.
I am in awe.
I have no words to match yours, but I would like to offer you something in return: photographer's Michaela Skovranova project called "Love Scars". I read it many years ago, but it came to my mind and it seems quite fitting too.
https://wepresent.wetransfer.com/stories/michaela-skovranova-on-the-scars-of-baby-humpbacks
OMG, those photos are incredible. Just mesmerising. Thanks so much, I love them.
And thanks for the kind words. My sister said the other day, that I was the funniest person she knew (correct), and that I was calm and full of joy for life, so why do I keep writing depressing things? Why don't I just write joyful stuff? she asked. I said I was writing joyful stuff, but you had to dig a little to find it. Thanks for digging Fotini. I truly appreciate it :)
Your sister is an idiot .......... I am much funnier than you.
Well, you’re half right 😉
Thank you for giving me something to dig, Jonathan. I have found more than I could have imagined in your writing. Thank you! And by the way, tell your sister that I smile every time I read your stuff.
Ha! I'm definitely going to tell her that 😂
What an exquisite series of photographs. Thank you!
Did you hear my sigh at those photographs! Thank you dear Fotini x
This entire post reads like a poem. A poem of generations.
“I knew I need do nothing more in this life than strive to eventually live well in my daughter’s memory.”
I cannot think of anything more
beautiful . A life well spent. I ‘know’ you through your sharing. And, I see you. If I were asked to define the best about you Jonathan, a reflection in your writing, is that you always carry your heart , where ever you go.
“So careful shall I be, with the tenderness of the human heart…”
Except one day, and may that be many years from now, you’ll know just the place to lay your heart. To keep safe all your love and memories. To be lived out again through the next generation. And so on, and on.
When I read “…and with gentle hands shall I reach through the shimmer…”Your words reminded me of something I wrote the next morning after watching the Solar Eclipse this past April, right in the center of the path of Totality. Birds fell silent , as if it were night. I could not come up with a single word to describe.
I had this intense feeling, and I searched for a meaning because somehow I felt the need to label it.
These are not my words, but a definition of a ‘thin place’.
“…in these places, certain invisible things— like music or love or memory or art—become suddenly visible. Barriers between the you and not-you, the real and unreal, the worldly and otherworldly, dissolve.
“…heaven and earth are only three feet apart…”
“…but in the thin place that distance is even smaller. “
I read this with a keen sense of awe in the truth. And I thought, these might be some of the words I’m looking for. Feels as though it might just be a ‘thin place’.
In those moments , strangers watching became friends. I sat next to someone who had that attitude of, ok, I’ll watch, ‘but what’s the big deal “. Afterwards, he had tears in his eyes. Across the lake, a crowd sent out a massive cheer like a rock concert. It still sends shivers just thinking about it. On a side note, You may want to check out Paul Winter Consort along with whale sounds.
( I saw live, sans the 🐳) Whale singing courtesy of the Humpbacks and Roger Payne , whale biologist. https://paulwinter.bandcamp.com/album/whales-alive
What a brilliant piece of writing, Lor. "in these places, certain invisible things— like music or love or memory or art—become suddenly visible." - I've felt this too, the magicalness of certain places. (When will you start your Substack?). And I love that Paul Winter track. Amazing. Thanks for that link.
I'm so grateful for your observation about carrying my heart. That's true. A strength and a weakness all at once. It's an amazing side effect from writing here that I can learn so much about my writing through reading how it lands with others. Your comments are incredibly supportive. Thank you so much.
I asked the same question, was given the same answer...
Lor, Substack is lucky to have you, we are lucky to have you!
Thank you Jonathan! Glad you followed my link.
Me, having my own Substack? Way too much anxiety having to ‘perform’ on a regular basis. Stage fright and all that. I would much rather continue reading wonderful posts from my favorite authors. And trying to graciously send a thank you that is usually way too long.
Breathtaking. “one day, as the domino’s fall, my time would come and she would be my memory keeper in this ever blossoming, self-perpetuating cycle of life.”
Thanks Kimberly. That's a lovely comment considering the whales too ;)
Rich powerful writing Jonathan. Intergenerational love. Lessons from grief and from nature.
Singing lovesongs into the universe. So many whooshes in this beautiful piece, Jonathan. Can be reread many times.
Till you are lost and bursting. Unbreaking hearts, reaching through broken patterns to find shimmer.
Here you are, Jonathan, unfurled to the world!
Síodhna
Thank you for your kind words Síodhna, which leave me lost for them.
Unfurling to the world. That was perfect.
And thank you Jonathan. Such rich prose. I must try this form sometime for more explanation on what I'm trying to express. My words and meaning are interpreted as the reader is, in that moment. Lose and find their way in that, maybe I allow that even more the more I write.
Coincidentally I had a comment on my latest piece on asking meaning that inspired me to do an quick audio explanation, see what you think if you get a chance. It's called 'lemon leaf'
(Love your writing!)
I've listened to your fascinating explanation but I'll go to your post to answer
https://theseainme.substack.com/p/lemon-leaf
"A mother and calf with their rubbery liquorice undersides"
Well that's a combination of words I never thought I'd read - yet no picture or photograph could more
effectively paint an image so firmly in my imagination. Well done Jonathan : )
Nothing better than a good word painting. Thanks so much Peter
What Kimberly said. Profoundly moving.
🙏🏽 Thanks Patris. Im so appreciative of your observations, and I'm getting the feeling after these months that somehow the less you say the better I'm writing :)
This is so powerful and beautiful Jonathan. Had me crying.
It is Everything to to be able to gift our children: "I saw you and you were safe”. Thank you. 🙏
After your lovely post yesterday I'm not surprised you say so Jo, thanks :)
🥰
Wow! This was an amazing read, Jonathan, thank you so much for writing this. I ugly cried twice.
Thank you Sha, that's tearful praise indeed :)
Truly beautiful
Thank you, Teyani 🙏🏼
Deeply touched by this...My own father passed 4 months ago, I am the keeper of his memory...and my own daughters, I cherish the moments and memories made with them. Jonathan, this is really beautiful...thank you
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Christine, my warmest condolences to you.
And, thank you so much, I am genuinely touched by your kind reply here. I often write to express the beauty (and agony) of life and relationships and our shared experiences as fellow human beings. I so want readers to feel something and be seen in these pieces, so thank you for finding something here 🙏🏽
Beautiful!
🙏🏼 thank you my friend
Amazed how words connect pieces of lives together with pumped oxygen aged blood that opens arteries to breathe new life into old blue cells craving for love.
Round and round we go, a wordy snow-globe, connecting everything, imposing order where none shall be, chiselling out reality, round and round the sun, we go.
Thanks Richard :)
You know the orbits ellipses. Exclamation not really needed. I’m low today.
The sun rises as the world spins. Maybe a little time and your lowness will just be the dawn light?
Stunning
🙏🏼 Thank you so much rena
Incredible incredible piece Jonathan. Beauty in so many relationships, and especially poignant in the relationship that was moved forward after the other died. Beautiful and striking work.
Thats a generous and kind comment, Brian. Thank you so much pal :)
Exquisite, breathtaking, haunting... “So careful shall I be, with the tenderness of the human heart…” I believe that you truly are Jonathan, that you are so acutely aware of this necessity that you wear your own for all to see so they may treat you with equal measures of care and tenderness.
"And that unbroken hearts were very rare. Maybe they only existed very early in the morning, just after waking, just before remembering." I believe hearts that are unbroken ever, do not have the same capacity of understanding the how, as those that have. I believe we learn this not from those we fall in love with but those we bring into this life. "...and she would be my memory keeper in this ever blossoming, self-perpetuating cycle of life.” so true, the reason for love and care and tenderness, the reason to keep her safe, to hold warmly her hand... but of course you know that joy already!
This essay, no, this poem, will stay with me for a very long time - thank you, I wish you peace and whale song 🕊
Thanks so much Susie, beautiful words. Whale song right back atcha ;)
I've missed your voice singing in my universe, Jonathan. This is an incredibly beautiful and moving piece. The depth of your soul never ceases to amaze me, and the ache and love you've expressed here is a tribute to that.
Glad to see you here Troy! I have thought about once in a while, wondering about your absence and hoping you were good. Thanks for the kind words Troy :)