Monday, May 19

what's in the title of a post?



"I am leaving with the last ferry. You can have the island for yourself for the next few days."
He spoke eloquent, as if he could endow peoples content and happiness by sheer presence. He left. The void of the island-villain did not punch a hole into my psyche, instead his departure resurrected tense muscles in my neck to almost normal conditions.
Island life is direct and immediate. What you seed is what you get back. Manhattan is an island as well, but you can drown there as a black dressed person, loosing everything that makes up your individuality, your face. In Manhattan there are no immediate check and balances, you stay anonymous. Not so on this island in Maine. Everybody knows, everybody hears, about everything you do. Something to consider.
Those considerations are not part of the equation to my "island-villain" friend, part of the reason that he doesn't make it here, on this island.
"It is fascinating to see and observe how you dig into my stash of food lately, without giving it a second thought, or even asking. Don't you have enough cash to buy your own beans for the morning coffee, or are you just that cheap kind of guy?" I asked. There was no conclusive answer. Instead he was telling me the same old story again, the one I have heard twenty two times before, the one of doing this and that, the one where one expects a congratulating clap on the shoulders from the listener. It exhausts me. Self manufactured praise is the cheapest form of gratification. It is so sad to see a friend go down that road. There is no return, there is no passage. Pity replaces valuable bonds you once had in common. There is nothing you can do, you just stay patient and wait it out...

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Little tidbits of island life, the pictures are from outside the library where I park my truck to get internet connection. The story of island life is not sad, the story is infectious. More later...

6 comments:

Equilibrio Global said...

That place is beautiful! I will be going to Maine for about 4 days in August. Can't wait!!

Zee said...

You'll have to check out this island, Vinalhaven - no matter if I'm there or not, though I would prefer that I'm there. I could show you around ...

Equilibrio Global said...

I would love to, Zee!

We still need to plan the itinerary. My friend, who will be with me, loves Puffins. I am not sure if we will be too late for them, as we are only going to be there last week of August, but we are hoping to see some. Any recommendations? Maybe I should email you.

Zee said...

Puffins or no puffins, give me a call before you get up there. Use my e-mail for contact.

Ingrid said...

wow, what a place of respite! Especially since the cold weather seems to have up and left. enjoy your time there. I'm going through a 'down period' realizing, that in my last 14 yrs of coping (changes changes, too many to mention), I have never had a 'vinal haven'..pardon the pun. Now, I need to learn something I did not learn as a child/teenager growing up; how to take care of myself, decompress and take time for myself. For me, it won't be that beautiful island (i'll be dreaming of it though) but my backyard that I'll be transforming this summer. It reminds me of the 8th verse of the Tao;

"The Supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to,
It flows to low places loathed by all men.
Therefore, it is like the Tao.

Live in accordance with the nature of things,
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In mediation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
Stand by your word.
Govern with equity.
Be timely in choosing the right moment.

One who lives in accordance with nature
does not go against the way of things.
He moves in harmony with the present moment,
always knowing the truth of just what to do."

I think you'll come back inspired and refreshed from your island trip. Enjoy your own space in the house and thank the gods for non snoring dogs! They can also be obnoxiously loud!!

Ingrid

Anonymous said...

A shadow is one's impact
in the world, or less,
in the final accounting.

Your writing is like poetry.
In just a few words, you present a mood, a view. A longing.