(originally posted 11/10/09)
This month the Naked Girls read letters: love letters, hate letters, fan letters, stalker letters, etc. The theme was originally Naked Girls Fall in Love. Hmmm…not the easiest theme for me to work with. I honestly didn’t know where to begin and I was terrified.
I’m not a romantic, I’m a bit cynical, and if you were to tell me I’m a little jaded too…well…I don’t know that I could argue that. When I first started gathering ideas for the readings, I couldn’t get this saying out of my head: Naked Girls fall in AND out of love. I couldn’t help it. To me, it just seemed like a topic that should come full circle. Now don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe in love and I don’t think that all great things must come to an end. However, I find that the pain from life’s situations and experiences are greatly intensified because of love. I also believe that this pain is something we need to embrace. In writing this, I’m reminded of a quote by William Faulkner: ”Given the choice between experiencing pain and nothing, I would choose pain”. Love and pain are too deeply intertwined to be separated, they will always be holding hands.
The Hurt
I have hurt you, my dear,
I have torn your soul.
Understand me.
Everyone knows who I am,
but that “I am”
is besides a man
for you.
In you I waver, fall
and rise up burning.
You among all beings
have the right
to see me weak.
And your little hand
of bread and guitar
must touch my breast
when it goes off to fight.
That’s why I seek you in the firm stone.
Harsh hands I sink into your blood
seeking your firmness
and the depth that I need,
and if I find
only your metallic laughter, if I find
nothing on which to support my harsh steps
adored one, accept
my sadness and my anger,
my enemy hands
destroying you a little
so that you may rise from the clay
refashioned for my struggles.
~Pablo Neruda
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