I love that last line too Tamsin, for me it brings together the different strands and somehow suggests that we can learn and grow from any experience. I know that some of my recent writing seems a little emotionally challenging but (I hope that) there is a feeling of hope and optimism that also shines out.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting too Tamsin. I feel so proud and grateful any time anyone is touched by this stuff :)
Thanks Wes, and, without sounding mushy, thanks for always being such a great supporter of my writing. I've been stupidly busy recently, but I'm always reading your stuff and often mean to come back and comment but then get caught up in something. Just wanted to let you know that :)
As to your comment, everything I write is a mixture, a fictionalised truth or a truthful fiction, I don't know which. Life has pain and joy and...you know perfectly what I'm talking about, and it's all good stuff I think.
I have forgotten what stupidly busy is like and I hope never to become that busy again. I started working as a young teen and never let up until a year ago and it's quite something to become accustomed to this amount of space and time. I always enjoy your writing as it seems like the product of a fairly well balanced mind and that no small thing. Well keep watching one another.
I’ll take that, sounds good to me my friend :) Personally I hate stupidly busy, I’m looking to lessen my busyness. I’d would love to concentrate more time toward writing.
We all have to deal with economic realities and making a living takes up most of our time. My output from the age of twenty until sixty was one poem a year, that's it. But oddly enough, during those years I didn't feel I had much to say so fortunately I never felt the urge the write but I did feel the urge to rest. That much I remember clearly. Life can be nasty, brutish and short but what other choice, it's the only one we have.
I agree Wes, we’re all handcuffed to an ever oncoming debt stream. Although not all of us of course. That’s why the powers that be prefer no one ever talks about class. That’s why I write so much about the individual experience of being embedded into a society. And why these kids I see in my children’s generation seem so inspiring, because they seem to have already understood class and power and how it influences their lives.
Thank you for this beautiful work...what a maze of emotions as I read this today. I am truly grateful for the next generation, and the fragile hope that they have 💕
Thank you Christine, I really appreciate your reading and commenting on this piece. I too am grateful for their fragile hope, and a little conflicted that so much expectation and responsibility is placed on them, without actually offering the levers of power. But there's something with the energy, the passion and the open-mindedness that floors me and fills me with gratefulness.
When I write pieces like this one, I'm trying to weave the the daily lived experience through the greater political/social experience because I do think they are intrinsically linked. So that you say "a maze of emotions" is very gratifying. Thanks again 🙏🏽
I knew by the end of part one that I would be gulping back tears by the last…
“we are dragged helplessly through the multiple layers of identity and spectacle of symbolic imagery into which we are all entrapped and shredded every minute of every day.”
This is why I walk, endlessly and alone and this too…
“It is this eternal dance that separates human beings
From angels, from demons, from gods
And I must not forget, we must not forget
That we are human beings.”
Thoughtful and humbling writing Jonathan… you gave me goosebumps for the second time this evening.
Thanks so much Susie, it’s why I walk too, partially, to refresh from all the nonsense and refind the essence of being a human.
This bit…“It is this eternal dance that separates human beings
From angels, from demons, from gods
And I must not forget, we must not forget, That we are human beings.”
…I can’t take credit for. It a line from the lyrics of a song by Ren. There should be a link there, embedded in the text (it’s worth a watch for sure). It just fitted the mood of the piece and reflected the films so well.
Anyway, not sure why my writing has been so sombre recently, but it’s d at least interesting to investigate this part of our extraordinary experience too. (Loved your post today by the way, thanks for the beauty)
I saw that they weren’t your words, though so fitted with your text hough, they could have been! Sadly I can’t find a link to the song, it’s probably not through any fault of yours though Jonathan…
It’s important to write about the more difficult subjects, you have tackled this well and presented us with something not only well written and very moving but with honesty too..
I literally don’t know what to write… gulping tears again…
You think that was quite a performance, I know it was! Perhaps you’ve picked up (perhaps not) I work with children with learning difficulties, each and every one of them has something very special about their characters and abilities - I will save and play this to the older of them Jonathan, their responses will be varied and undoubtedly profound but they will all appreciate these words - thank you - hugely!
My pleasure Susie, it’s an amazing piece of music and writing isn’t it. Very moving and very inspirational.
I did pick up your occupation from your Substack. My wife does the exact same thing. I think it’s an incredible and beautiful thing to build relationships and support those kids, so I’ve always thought you were cool for doing that.
“… they still refuse to accept the idiocy and instead they reject the old patterns and dare to forge ahead with new and brave ideas.”
The graduation project .
It’s hard to believe that these films would be the collective choice of a class of graduating students heading to a ‘new world’ outside the doors of high school . I too have a choice here. To feel broken hearted , or to be filled with hope that these conversations are happening in schools. I choose the latter. Maybe just one of those films will save a life. One of those students may live an amazing life that they otherwise wouldn’t have. One teenager may spend a lifetime to spark change, with each step forward.
The fragility of hope. A crystal glass on a granite countertop.
I’m glad you opened the line of communication again with your brother. It may have absolutely no effect on him . For you , it marks a change. Maybe lengthening your own stride forward , even just a little bit .Hope can do that.
“…humbled by their courage.” Thats how I feel after reading this.
P.S. I had my own bedroom when I was a kid. My sister’s bedroom was across the hall, closest to the top of the stairway. I used to lay in bed and think, she kept her door closed on purpose so if someone were to break in, they would come to my room first.😳
Amazingly enough they didn't choose the films, they produced and created them as part of their project.
Thanks for your kind and smart comment Lor, I really laughed at the thought of your lying there thinking your sister had closed her door for such reasons. The things that go through a kids head eh! I love how similar we all are :)
Wow. I kept it together until the last line. Powerful
I love that last line too Tamsin, for me it brings together the different strands and somehow suggests that we can learn and grow from any experience. I know that some of my recent writing seems a little emotionally challenging but (I hope that) there is a feeling of hope and optimism that also shines out.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting too Tamsin. I feel so proud and grateful any time anyone is touched by this stuff :)
Good job. If the story is autobiographical. it's a sad and painful one. I feel that pain.
Thanks Wes, and, without sounding mushy, thanks for always being such a great supporter of my writing. I've been stupidly busy recently, but I'm always reading your stuff and often mean to come back and comment but then get caught up in something. Just wanted to let you know that :)
As to your comment, everything I write is a mixture, a fictionalised truth or a truthful fiction, I don't know which. Life has pain and joy and...you know perfectly what I'm talking about, and it's all good stuff I think.
I have forgotten what stupidly busy is like and I hope never to become that busy again. I started working as a young teen and never let up until a year ago and it's quite something to become accustomed to this amount of space and time. I always enjoy your writing as it seems like the product of a fairly well balanced mind and that no small thing. Well keep watching one another.
I’ll take that, sounds good to me my friend :) Personally I hate stupidly busy, I’m looking to lessen my busyness. I’d would love to concentrate more time toward writing.
We all have to deal with economic realities and making a living takes up most of our time. My output from the age of twenty until sixty was one poem a year, that's it. But oddly enough, during those years I didn't feel I had much to say so fortunately I never felt the urge the write but I did feel the urge to rest. That much I remember clearly. Life can be nasty, brutish and short but what other choice, it's the only one we have.
I agree Wes, we’re all handcuffed to an ever oncoming debt stream. Although not all of us of course. That’s why the powers that be prefer no one ever talks about class. That’s why I write so much about the individual experience of being embedded into a society. And why these kids I see in my children’s generation seem so inspiring, because they seem to have already understood class and power and how it influences their lives.
I see the same thing with the next generation-my sons plan an entirely different kind of professional life
Thank you for this beautiful work...what a maze of emotions as I read this today. I am truly grateful for the next generation, and the fragile hope that they have 💕
Thank you Christine, I really appreciate your reading and commenting on this piece. I too am grateful for their fragile hope, and a little conflicted that so much expectation and responsibility is placed on them, without actually offering the levers of power. But there's something with the energy, the passion and the open-mindedness that floors me and fills me with gratefulness.
When I write pieces like this one, I'm trying to weave the the daily lived experience through the greater political/social experience because I do think they are intrinsically linked. So that you say "a maze of emotions" is very gratifying. Thanks again 🙏🏽
I wasn’t expecting the last, and most beautiful, line.
Here’s to loving kindness. May it guide us through the darkest places our paths are destined to explore.
I guess the last line is suggesting there's never a last line ;)
Good to see you Troy
There's tremendous vulnerability in admitting and/or talking about failing a member of one's own family.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Susanna. I really appreciate you taking the time.
I knew by the end of part one that I would be gulping back tears by the last…
“we are dragged helplessly through the multiple layers of identity and spectacle of symbolic imagery into which we are all entrapped and shredded every minute of every day.”
This is why I walk, endlessly and alone and this too…
“It is this eternal dance that separates human beings
From angels, from demons, from gods
And I must not forget, we must not forget
That we are human beings.”
Thoughtful and humbling writing Jonathan… you gave me goosebumps for the second time this evening.
Thanks so much Susie, it’s why I walk too, partially, to refresh from all the nonsense and refind the essence of being a human.
This bit…“It is this eternal dance that separates human beings
From angels, from demons, from gods
And I must not forget, we must not forget, That we are human beings.”
…I can’t take credit for. It a line from the lyrics of a song by Ren. There should be a link there, embedded in the text (it’s worth a watch for sure). It just fitted the mood of the piece and reflected the films so well.
Anyway, not sure why my writing has been so sombre recently, but it’s d at least interesting to investigate this part of our extraordinary experience too. (Loved your post today by the way, thanks for the beauty)
I saw that they weren’t your words, though so fitted with your text hough, they could have been! Sadly I can’t find a link to the song, it’s probably not through any fault of yours though Jonathan…
It’s important to write about the more difficult subjects, you have tackled this well and presented us with something not only well written and very moving but with honesty too..
I’ve just read it again… Thank YOU also.
https://youtu.be/s_nc1IVoMxc?feature=shared
Here you go. It’s quite a piece of performance art I think
I literally don’t know what to write… gulping tears again…
You think that was quite a performance, I know it was! Perhaps you’ve picked up (perhaps not) I work with children with learning difficulties, each and every one of them has something very special about their characters and abilities - I will save and play this to the older of them Jonathan, their responses will be varied and undoubtedly profound but they will all appreciate these words - thank you - hugely!
My pleasure Susie, it’s an amazing piece of music and writing isn’t it. Very moving and very inspirational.
I did pick up your occupation from your Substack. My wife does the exact same thing. I think it’s an incredible and beautiful thing to build relationships and support those kids, so I’ve always thought you were cool for doing that.
So glad to share. 👍🏼
It’s an unforgettable work of art!
And it’s a very long time since anyone called me cool - Thank you, you made my day! 🙏🏽
“… they still refuse to accept the idiocy and instead they reject the old patterns and dare to forge ahead with new and brave ideas.”
The graduation project .
It’s hard to believe that these films would be the collective choice of a class of graduating students heading to a ‘new world’ outside the doors of high school . I too have a choice here. To feel broken hearted , or to be filled with hope that these conversations are happening in schools. I choose the latter. Maybe just one of those films will save a life. One of those students may live an amazing life that they otherwise wouldn’t have. One teenager may spend a lifetime to spark change, with each step forward.
The fragility of hope. A crystal glass on a granite countertop.
I’m glad you opened the line of communication again with your brother. It may have absolutely no effect on him . For you , it marks a change. Maybe lengthening your own stride forward , even just a little bit .Hope can do that.
“…humbled by their courage.” Thats how I feel after reading this.
P.S. I had my own bedroom when I was a kid. My sister’s bedroom was across the hall, closest to the top of the stairway. I used to lay in bed and think, she kept her door closed on purpose so if someone were to break in, they would come to my room first.😳
Amazingly enough they didn't choose the films, they produced and created them as part of their project.
Thanks for your kind and smart comment Lor, I really laughed at the thought of your lying there thinking your sister had closed her door for such reasons. The things that go through a kids head eh! I love how similar we all are :)
Today of all days is a time to decide to let go of the pendulum swinging back and forth, permit breathing.
Such a strong, didactic piece. Grateful
Then the pendulum of gratefulness swings right back at ya :)
(Always a pleasure Patris)
If this was a true story, I'm sorry for the pain, but I am "clapping thunder and lighting into the world" for the strength.
My heart! This entire piece gave me chills.