I was looking for that distinction and here it is, beautifully laid out. Thank you, Samantha!
"Yearning feels thin, like a tightened guitar string. There’s fear in yearning. It’s sinuous and painful to watch. I think because there’s self-abandonment in yearning. Being afraid to give something up. One holds on the only way they can and you can see their hands tearing. But longing is of love, eros, desire, that which becomes a direction point. Longing is about endurance and acceptance, holding open one’s heart to possibility. It’s thick, like possibility."
Why does springtime longing come so long before Spring? In any case, Sam, your words made me think of Natalie Merchant's song 'Come on, Aphrodite' from a few years ago. Do you know it?
Facing a week or more of multicolored, precipitation radar maps, stars will be hidden, planets only dim memories. For consolation, I’m embracing Whitman’s expansive imagination (“I skirt sierras, my palms cover continents, / I am afoot with my vision”) and listening to Big Bill Broonzy’s album, “Good Time Tonight,” while searching the closet for my misplaced Muse.
Venus will appear soon, as the sunset fades, reigning over the evening sky and anticipating Spring. Cheers!
Brilliant writing....your self reflection invites the reader to do the same....
Thank you!
I was looking for that distinction and here it is, beautifully laid out. Thank you, Samantha!
"Yearning feels thin, like a tightened guitar string. There’s fear in yearning. It’s sinuous and painful to watch. I think because there’s self-abandonment in yearning. Being afraid to give something up. One holds on the only way they can and you can see their hands tearing. But longing is of love, eros, desire, that which becomes a direction point. Longing is about endurance and acceptance, holding open one’s heart to possibility. It’s thick, like possibility."
Thank you!
Celan is such an arresting writer. Thank you for sharing this gem.
Yes. I've been teaching Celan and remembering how masterful he is with the mouth and sound.
Why does springtime longing come so long before Spring? In any case, Sam, your words made me think of Natalie Merchant's song 'Come on, Aphrodite' from a few years ago. Do you know it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25QHgYktmbk
Facing a week or more of multicolored, precipitation radar maps, stars will be hidden, planets only dim memories. For consolation, I’m embracing Whitman’s expansive imagination (“I skirt sierras, my palms cover continents, / I am afoot with my vision”) and listening to Big Bill Broonzy’s album, “Good Time Tonight,” while searching the closet for my misplaced Muse.