Oh Susie, this was just beautiful. I loved all of it and so many lines just got me. This, "May we we know where to look for them and may we sometimes unwittingly stumble upon them." so much yes.
and this, "May we all allow our stories to unfold in the embrace of our loved ones, the belly of nature and the expansive vision of art so that we can get from today to tomorrow unbroken. " Get from today to tomorrow unbroken in the love of people and nature. Whew. So beautiful.
and this, "asking no permission, no “may I.” Coming for us with his joy." Coming for us with his joy. That line and visualization is going to ring around in my heart for quite a while. Thank you!! xoxox
Interesting. Two linguistic items I want to clarify, as a speaker of both languages: "Si, se puede" literally means "Yes, it is possible." "Ken y'hi ratzon" means "May it be His will."
Always glad to engage with another language-obsessed person. I'm interested in expanding and aerating meanings, rather than being confined to the literal. Midrash, no? Especially in the case of the Hebrew where in general the practitioners I know do not use the male pronoun.
I just finished reading your essay and I am in tears. “Those” tears. It is beautiful, truthful, modest, profound, stirring and generous. I am so bloody glad we are friends. I am also crazy mad about language. And the healing offered by engaging with our muses.
As a retired English teacher I love a whole essay about “can” and “may.” And I take away: may we know where to look for happiness, health and peace—and may we sometimes stumble onto them. We’re in BC at our daughter’s Hornby Island home, doing a lot of language practicing with 2 yr old Hal. Thanks for another thought-filled essay.
Growing up, the distance between 'can' and 'may' was imprinted at an early age. May you continue to be ambushed and surprised. It is such a gift for your readers.
So glad you remember that grammatical stranglehold vividly as I do. So often when I check some language thing on my phone it basically says "do whatever you want." I'm still amazed by that.
I had no idea how much until I started writing regularly. Now, as I mention in the essay, my practice has opened my eyes to what treasures I receive from artists of all stripes. All the time we spend thinking about diet and exercise, we might save a little for looking and listening, don't you think?
Oh Susie, this was just beautiful. I loved all of it and so many lines just got me. This, "May we we know where to look for them and may we sometimes unwittingly stumble upon them." so much yes.
and this, "May we all allow our stories to unfold in the embrace of our loved ones, the belly of nature and the expansive vision of art so that we can get from today to tomorrow unbroken. " Get from today to tomorrow unbroken in the love of people and nature. Whew. So beautiful.
and this, "asking no permission, no “may I.” Coming for us with his joy." Coming for us with his joy. That line and visualization is going to ring around in my heart for quite a while. Thank you!! xoxox
I am partial to "coming for us with his joy." It's so much more persuasive than "coming to us" or "coming at us." Thanks for your careful reading.
Yes! The for us so powerful there. Lovely crafting of that feeling!❤️
Interesting. Two linguistic items I want to clarify, as a speaker of both languages: "Si, se puede" literally means "Yes, it is possible." "Ken y'hi ratzon" means "May it be His will."
Always glad to engage with another language-obsessed person. I'm interested in expanding and aerating meanings, rather than being confined to the literal. Midrash, no? Especially in the case of the Hebrew where in general the practitioners I know do not use the male pronoun.
"May, on the other hand, wandered off its footstool and established itself in the world of spirit as a doorway to prayer." Good words!
Thanks for writing, Meg. I thought of it as transcending the timidity of "may I?"
Dearest Susie,
I just finished reading your essay and I am in tears. “Those” tears. It is beautiful, truthful, modest, profound, stirring and generous. I am so bloody glad we are friends. I am also crazy mad about language. And the healing offered by engaging with our muses.
Wonderful to be on the road of life and art with you.
As a retired English teacher I love a whole essay about “can” and “may.” And I take away: may we know where to look for happiness, health and peace—and may we sometimes stumble onto them. We’re in BC at our daughter’s Hornby Island home, doing a lot of language practicing with 2 yr old Hal. Thanks for another thought-filled essay.
How wonderful that there's another Hal! Wishing you days of delight with him on Hornby Island.
Not in big Hal’s Jewish tradition, but he was very pleased when they chose his name.
Growing up, the distance between 'can' and 'may' was imprinted at an early age. May you continue to be ambushed and surprised. It is such a gift for your readers.
So glad you remember that grammatical stranglehold vividly as I do. So often when I check some language thing on my phone it basically says "do whatever you want." I'm still amazed by that.
Me too. And there are several others we could bring up.....
Thank you Susie for this beautifully written and felt piece from someone who also knows about the healing power of art
I really appreciate hearing from you, Anna. I feel like I was ambushed by this subject. Didn't see it coming, but am finding it powerful.
These words are uplifting and inspiring. They helped me out of a bad place, feeling my age and not at all hopeful. Art matters!
I had no idea how much until I started writing regularly. Now, as I mention in the essay, my practice has opened my eyes to what treasures I receive from artists of all stripes. All the time we spend thinking about diet and exercise, we might save a little for looking and listening, don't you think?