Astrogator's Logs

New Words, New Worlds
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Artist, Heather Oliver             

“We Put to Sea Again with Our Broken Oars”

— Ghiórghos Seféris, from Mythistórema

I have posted sparsely since July. Other (pre)occupations, internal and external, are claiming the available bandwidth. Some are more interesting than others, but all require weaving — and pausing to seagaze. It’s not my wont to bore the two-and-a-half readers of this blog, so I’ll let the chorus of John Gorka’s sublime “Gypsy Life” be my précis.

Wanderer-2-2004-Elina-Brotherus

You might like the gypsy life,
You judge your progress by the phases of the moon;
Get your compass and your sharpest knife,
People love you when they know you’re leaving soon.

Image: Elina Brotherus, Wanderer 2 (2004)

9 Responses to ““We Put to Sea Again with Our Broken Oars””

  1. Caliban says:

    As we ourselves (as you know) went through very different trials this year, we withdrew, and pondered, and for the most part kept quiet. We appreciate those who reached out to us, and those who allowed us our private time

    And part of my own quietude is learning (and failing, over and again) to write and respond effectively, even to blog posts like this; even in recent weeks, trying to surface, I managed to proverbially shoot myself in my online foot. Not so much here but elsewhere, but when I see me embarrassing myself, I tend to hesitate about writing at all. I wish I had wise, or at least less inept, responses; for me, and speaking only for myself, it seems discretion is the better part of not valor but wisdom.

    And, of course, the above incoherent ramblings are purely a reflection upon my own limitations, and are not directed at you or anyone else.

    But do know you are read and listened to, even if your readers struggle to find adequate words to express the deep thoughts and feelings you have provoked in us.

  2. intrigued_scribe says:

    Though in seeking to form responses that effectively convey profound thoughts and feelings, especially those unfailingly inspired here, there is at times pause — and on occasion for me reflection in place of words when adequate responses prove elusive — your posts are read.

    Indeed, you are listened to.

  3. Athena says:

    Dear Calvin, I’m sorry to hear of the latest online complication. Thank you for the wonderful words.

  4. Athena says:

    Thank you, dear Heather. You and I have traveled together (and inspired each other’s work) ever since we chanced upon each other!

  5. Kidakor says:

    Wrt. depicting other cultures in SF, any thoughts on Reynolds’ latest afro-centric trilogy (provided you’ve read it yet)?

  6. Athena says:

    Haven’t read it and it’s unlikely I will (I don’t much care for near-future SF or the now-almost-obligatory trilogies). But generally writers don’t fare too well when they embed works in cultures not their own.

  7. Susan says:

    I wish you sustenance for the journey and peace of mind when you get to the destination. I too like hearing what you have to say.

  8. Athena says:

    Thank you, Susan! I wish you the same for yours.

  9. LauraJMixon says:

    Calvin, I am very sorry to learn that you have been undergoing difficulties. I’ll keep you in my thoughts. I know well that silence that comes from seeking a way to be present after adversity, but not having words.