What a beautiful tale filling an ancient yearning in a contemporary place. The things we leave done and undone in the world, chase us, just like this tale.
Exactly, Paul! Thank you so much. "The things we leave done and undone in the world chase us" gives such an interesting imagery of this powerful notion.
Gorgeous, Silvio. Nostalgia and memory, woven into the surreal through this tale. Is it real or in the mind? Either way doesn't matter, it's the expression of it that's important.
The most powerful lines for me:
"Such a common destiny when certain dads pass: families fall apart, and big houses that were once their gravitational point become forgotten, deteriorating places inhabited by ghosts and memories."
"Thinking back, I appreciate this much more now, so many years later, than I did then. But isn’t this true with pretty much every fact of life?" -- an important reflection as we age. I imagine all of us feel this. I certainly do.
"I turned my gaze at the porch down below. My white vespa was there." -- the critical moment where we segue into the surreal. I felt it coming, but the hairs on my neck prickled once this arrived. :)
Thank you so much, Nathan, for this wonderful comment. "It's the expression of it that's important" — precisely! I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm so glad you liked this one. I haven't had much time these days, and I wrote this piece rather quickly. When that happens, writing truly becomes a medicine: it suspends time and creates stillness. The quotes (especially the first two) are very dear to me; thank you for highlighting them! Also, your "the hairs on my neck prickled once this arrived" reassures me that I managed to convey the right pathos.
Ahh, that transition, the phone ringing, going back in time, in your mind. Great piece, once again, Silvio!
Loved esp. this line "they stayed in touch with us for years, until they vanished into the misty adult life. They all vanish, at some point. A few reappear, but most continue to be missing. An immutable law of existence."
Thank you so much, Alexander! I kind of knew you were going to highlight that line. Not sure why. Yet another one of those magical feelings. Thanks again!
This has always seemed such a sad fact of life to me: that we can lose touch with people who were once integral to our daily life, people who knew everything about our us, as you write here. “Too many, for two who used to be inseparable.”
I like how the ending is left hanging because often in life there really is no closure to such things.
Memories of spaces like this are the best and most mysterious kind. I just can't get over how well this concept of the letter is working here. Fantastic exploration of voice, memory, and so much more, Silvio.
There's always some small detail that lands with me in these Silvio. This time, "when phones were connected to a wall." I long for a rewind button to that time.
What a beautiful tale filling an ancient yearning in a contemporary place. The things we leave done and undone in the world, chase us, just like this tale.
Love that Paul.
Exactly, Paul! Thank you so much. "The things we leave done and undone in the world chase us" gives such an interesting imagery of this powerful notion.
Gorgeous, Silvio. Nostalgia and memory, woven into the surreal through this tale. Is it real or in the mind? Either way doesn't matter, it's the expression of it that's important.
The most powerful lines for me:
"Such a common destiny when certain dads pass: families fall apart, and big houses that were once their gravitational point become forgotten, deteriorating places inhabited by ghosts and memories."
"Thinking back, I appreciate this much more now, so many years later, than I did then. But isn’t this true with pretty much every fact of life?" -- an important reflection as we age. I imagine all of us feel this. I certainly do.
"I turned my gaze at the porch down below. My white vespa was there." -- the critical moment where we segue into the surreal. I felt it coming, but the hairs on my neck prickled once this arrived. :)
Thank you so much, Nathan, for this wonderful comment. "It's the expression of it that's important" — precisely! I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm so glad you liked this one. I haven't had much time these days, and I wrote this piece rather quickly. When that happens, writing truly becomes a medicine: it suspends time and creates stillness. The quotes (especially the first two) are very dear to me; thank you for highlighting them! Also, your "the hairs on my neck prickled once this arrived" reassures me that I managed to convey the right pathos.
"Writing truly becomes a medicine: it suspends time..." Yes! So much so.
My medicine has been a little more reading than writing this week, but the stillness and time suspension is very much there.
Thanks again for a wonderful piece. I'm so glad I have your letters to look forward to each week.
I really appreciate you, Nathan! And I hope your recovery proceeds well.
Ahh, that transition, the phone ringing, going back in time, in your mind. Great piece, once again, Silvio!
Loved esp. this line "they stayed in touch with us for years, until they vanished into the misty adult life. They all vanish, at some point. A few reappear, but most continue to be missing. An immutable law of existence."
Thank you so much, Alexander! I kind of knew you were going to highlight that line. Not sure why. Yet another one of those magical feelings. Thanks again!
Indeed! Magical understanding without words. 💪
Ahh, the beauty of nostalgia. Thank you!
Thank you, Maria!
Wonderful and magical. Or is it Reality, when you slip behind the veil and experience the timeless nature of love?
Thank you, Margaret. "When you slip behind the veil" -- Love this. We live in a continuum.
This has always seemed such a sad fact of life to me: that we can lose touch with people who were once integral to our daily life, people who knew everything about our us, as you write here. “Too many, for two who used to be inseparable.”
I like how the ending is left hanging because often in life there really is no closure to such things.
Thank you so much, Stephanie! Yes, it is a sad fact. Yet, an integral part of life.
I found myself slipping into the stories of my own memories of years ago...aching, yearning,smiling...
Glad it did this to you, Julie. Thank you!
You know how to cast a spell on your reader. This was so good.
Thank you, Jisoo!
Memories, dreams, imaginings, where would be without them. Love it thank you for the trip.
Thank you, Tom!
Memories of spaces like this are the best and most mysterious kind. I just can't get over how well this concept of the letter is working here. Fantastic exploration of voice, memory, and so much more, Silvio.
Kate! Thank you so much. You got it: "memories of spaces". Such a mysterious and intriguing concept!
I just loved this tale ? Or truth ?
Who cares I was caught from the first line.
I want to go find the pink house up the hill tomorrow morning.
Thank you, Wendy! There's a big pink house up a hill in everyone's mind, I guess.
Another intriguing and imaginative piece, this time involving mysterious time shifts and/or possibly parallel realities - I love it!
Thank you, Rose!
Really, what else is there to say other than thank you for another wonderful read!
Thank you, Remanon! You're very kind.
There's always some small detail that lands with me in these Silvio. This time, "when phones were connected to a wall." I long for a rewind button to that time.
Thank you, Rick! You and I can speak to that, can't we? Glad that line caught your eye.