Love (June 2024 Newsletter)
Photo Credit: Tai Pimputkar
Memorial Day marked the end of the uncertainties of winter and spring weather, and the relatively quiet pace of life for many of us. It changes right after Memorial Day and suddenly it’s summer. But first we should think of what we memorialized on this long-awaited day. We are of course remembering all the exceptional qualities of those who have served the country in war and kept it safe in times of peace. Deep down within their hearts they all have in common one supreme driving force, that of LOVE. Not all of us do or can serve the country by joining the armed services or other entities that keep the peace. But it is love that makes us perform small and big gestures of love. The point I try to make here is that the supreme test of love is sacrifice. One gives a little or gives a lot. In love there is no judgement, no weighing, no condition, no expectations, and no thinking. The essence of love is an act or a restraint from action that is spontaneous, simple and immediate.
love is a place
by e e cummings
love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places
yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skilfully curled)
all worlds
Please note that the odd structure, spelling, lack of punctuation, and odd grammar are not typos. Hence a brief background on E. E. Cummings is appropriate in this article. It might make you seek out and read his works. You will find it worth your while. Cummings was a poet, playwright, artist, author, and professor at and from Harvard; he was also an ambulance driver in World War I. His experiments with language were well known in his time, i.e. most of the 20th Century. His language experiments are known for odd spellings, grammar and a general disregard for 'cute' language as it was termed. His intent was to shred it to bring out the heart and soul of the English language, and indeed he did.
Show love. Share love. Give love and accept love.
Happy summer and stay safe.
Sincerely and in peace,
sipra