I was struck by the contrast between "All is filth. All of us." and the quiet acceptance of "Here I am. Part of it." Instead of trying to rescue the scene from its imperfections, the poem seems to find honesty by belonging to it. That ending felt unexpectedly peaceful to me—as though beauty survives not because the world is clean, but because we choose to remain present within it.
OH! I am there when I read this! I love how you kind of reposition yourself in the last lines, if that makes sense. The honest way you look at it is so much more meaningful when you're not looking down at it, but rather quietly take your place inside it.
That’s exactly the idea! The idea that you can’t escape being part of the muck. I am a country girl so city muck and its excesses have a particular effect on me. Thank you Erin!!
I adore Paris in autumn, but these new European summers (mind you, Canada's East Coast has also fallen victim to it) of unbearable heat makes me hesitant to visit this time of year. 🌸
You are quite right! As it happens my family are in Canada this Summer (near London) while I pack up our stuff and sell the house etc. Has been one catastrophic Summer for fires in both countries. Devastating.
I was struck by the contrast between "All is filth. All of us." and the quiet acceptance of "Here I am. Part of it." Instead of trying to rescue the scene from its imperfections, the poem seems to find honesty by belonging to it. That ending felt unexpectedly peaceful to me—as though beauty survives not because the world is clean, but because we choose to remain present within it.
Thank you SO much Antonio. You have reassured me that this little piece of text can in fact be read the way I intended. Such a relief!
I feel transported to a historical scene where beauty and filth live side by side. In a world much older with enormous history conjoined.
What a wonderful way of looking at this. Yes! I can see this too. Dust binding the modern with the old.
Good morning, Louise. I felt that it was very like you, Louise, in the way you honestly acknowledged that you are also a part of this world. 😇
So touched by this, Keiichiro.
Thank you!!
Wow! Just perfect, I love it!
Extremely kind of you, Nick.
Refreshingly real. "Here I am. / Part of it." The perfect turn. <3
Beautiful and I like how realistic it is, painting a picture of lived experience rather than past, often romanticised images of the same place.
I really enjoyed it.
So appreciate that Gary. Yes romanticising Paris is not my thing. It’s been done. 😊
OH! I am there when I read this! I love how you kind of reposition yourself in the last lines, if that makes sense. The honest way you look at it is so much more meaningful when you're not looking down at it, but rather quietly take your place inside it.
That’s exactly the idea! The idea that you can’t escape being part of the muck. I am a country girl so city muck and its excesses have a particular effect on me. Thank you Erin!!
Lovely words.
I adore Paris in autumn, but these new European summers (mind you, Canada's East Coast has also fallen victim to it) of unbearable heat makes me hesitant to visit this time of year. 🌸
You are quite right! As it happens my family are in Canada this Summer (near London) while I pack up our stuff and sell the house etc. Has been one catastrophic Summer for fires in both countries. Devastating.
Wonderfully gritty. And what Antonio said!
So glad you like this one, Ray. Thank you!
I saved it, because I know I’ll want to read it again
That makes me OH SO happy. 💫 Thank you.