What a Joycean walk. Not stream of consciousness- better. (Pretty sure I haven’t referenced Joyce before here)
The characters, the interwoven threads that bind them, the compassion, the kindness - not moralizing, modeling. The sheer force of ‘place’ imagined. That’s a real village. The heartache elicited and the truth described. I’ve read it twice and will again to give it the respect it truly deserves.
Once in a while I am taken aback by a beautifully constructed sentence, or a thought - so much that I bookmark it and return to it again. The surprise of experiencing awe at the sheer truth of what I’ve read, that’s opened a door in my mind, or sometimes the sheer beauty of the language. This story is both.
There are writers here who are artists and offer these moments. You are
I'm so very glad to read your kind and generous comment here, Patris. I must admit I was a bit unsettled trying something slightly off track (the Pale Yellow House series) but I thought I'd preserver anyway (one beauty of Substack is being able to try things out and (hopefully) get some feedback), so that you've received this so warmly is a relief :)
Also, just a thanks about your appreciation of my attempts at craft, I do try to create sentence's that burst with life and meaning, sentences you might like to have a drink with, get to know better because there's something about them, so I'm grateful for your letting me know I'm getting there :)
“…yet here we are, in our ancient mutual affinity, falling into each others arms and forging alliances of kindness and being. All these small and generous acts of communality happening for no other reason than this is what we do, we humans, when we free ourselves from the idiotic narrative of competition and selfishness …”
And This;
“…I feel hope that these simple acts of human decency …”
I love the theme of one building , one street, holding one community bound together. Held by time. Sometimes , the simple pleasure of kindness . Sometimes the innate ability of being human rises to the surface.It is such a small place . In a world too big.
"All these small and generous acts of communality happening for no other reason than this is what we do, we humans"
And so distracting Jonathon, I'm trying to get something else done and I spy that Jonathon's got a new story posted... ok not now... I'll read it later... ok maybe I'll just scan the first few lines and move along... damn you Johnathon, damn you, haha
What a Joycean walk. Not stream of consciousness- better. (Pretty sure I haven’t referenced Joyce before here)
The characters, the interwoven threads that bind them, the compassion, the kindness - not moralizing, modeling. The sheer force of ‘place’ imagined. That’s a real village. The heartache elicited and the truth described. I’ve read it twice and will again to give it the respect it truly deserves.
Once in a while I am taken aback by a beautifully constructed sentence, or a thought - so much that I bookmark it and return to it again. The surprise of experiencing awe at the sheer truth of what I’ve read, that’s opened a door in my mind, or sometimes the sheer beauty of the language. This story is both.
There are writers here who are artists and offer these moments. You are
one of them.
.
I'm so very glad to read your kind and generous comment here, Patris. I must admit I was a bit unsettled trying something slightly off track (the Pale Yellow House series) but I thought I'd preserver anyway (one beauty of Substack is being able to try things out and (hopefully) get some feedback), so that you've received this so warmly is a relief :)
Also, just a thanks about your appreciation of my attempts at craft, I do try to create sentence's that burst with life and meaning, sentences you might like to have a drink with, get to know better because there's something about them, so I'm grateful for your letting me know I'm getting there :)
I second what Patris said so eloquently. You have a gift!
That’s very encouraging Brian. Thank you indeed!
If you don’t already - and you should by now - you have a facility with language most only hope to ever have.
Beautiful, I can see it all unfolding!
Swedish Origami :)
Tears were flowing, thank you Jonathan, beautiful writing. Xxx
Thank you Emma, apologies for encouraging tears, although they too can be wonderful I s'pose :)
Chapter 4. This;
“…yet here we are, in our ancient mutual affinity, falling into each others arms and forging alliances of kindness and being. All these small and generous acts of communality happening for no other reason than this is what we do, we humans, when we free ourselves from the idiotic narrative of competition and selfishness …”
And This;
“…I feel hope that these simple acts of human decency …”
I love the theme of one building , one street, holding one community bound together. Held by time. Sometimes , the simple pleasure of kindness . Sometimes the innate ability of being human rises to the surface.It is such a small place . In a world too big.
New work Jonathan ! ( but I do miss the dog ).
Thanks Lor, I missed the dog too! I reckon the he'll be reappearing soon enough :)
Glad you enjoyed 🙏🏽
Oh man, this is so good. Gave me tears.
"All these small and generous acts of communality happening for no other reason than this is what we do, we humans"
And so distracting Jonathon, I'm trying to get something else done and I spy that Jonathon's got a new story posted... ok not now... I'll read it later... ok maybe I'll just scan the first few lines and move along... damn you Johnathon, damn you, haha
Ha ha brilliant, if I ever write a book of short stories I'm going to call it "The Procrastinator's Friend" and dedicate it to you ;)
Thanks so much for reading and being there Leon.