Gigi, this is absolutely fantastic work! I am flooredddd. I loved this so much. The take on all those little 'what if's' complied into one breathtaking story. So well done <3
My first thoughts are of a more general nature concerning human behaviour as it relates to seeking connection vis a vis the "ether". This matter is not as important as the personal dimension you courageously identify in your writing. It is, however, to my mind, my own sensible starting point. I hope it does not suggest to you that I am implying that the other more personal considerations are not as important. They are more important.
Your writing was excellent for a number of reasons. For tonight, I will share some thoughts only on what may drive us to look to the distance for what we need, and feel we lack, in close proximity. More to say on the other powerfull points later.
Lost in crowds, starved for connection in the way a person lost at sea will die of thirst surrounded by water. What surrounds us does not nourish us. We reach beyond our environment for the “true” thing that will meet our emotional needs, but we reach into communities identical to our own to pluck, while they reach into ours.
How genuine are the underpinnings, the bases of these forays, our quests or stumblings toward the object that offers promise of fulfilling our notions of love and ecstasy? We seek out from the ether, from far away lands what we feel we do not have- or what we are not open to receiving from somebody at hand. Our daydreams. The impetus of so many toward reaching out for connection through a medium that necessarily limits fullsome connection. The mechanism of safety. The immediate satiety of junk food with consumer’s remorse. We limit the non-verbal ques, we have more control over presentation and protection of self. Yes we may lay parts of our soul to bare. We throw pieces of ourselves in the pot at the center of the table as we up the ante in hopes that when it is time to call and show all cards that both have winning hands. That there was no bluffing, no misrepresentation. How genuine is connection in these circumstances, through this medium? The answer may be the same to the question of how often is attraction mistaken for connection? How bright the flame for how unlit our surroundings? What drives many of these impulses is biological, escapism etc. and fleeting to begin with. What I write above makes me seem cynical and jaded. I’m not. I believe in the power and irresistible vortex of romantic love. The intractability. The juggernaut nature of the whirlwind. It doesn’t matter that it is, as with everything broken down to the elements, chemical in origin. Baying at the moon is still baying at the moon. The impulse is genuine. The feeling is genuine. The vulnerability can be genuine. The burning, yearning need is genuine. The overture is genuine. Such connections are not counterfeit in that they do pluck, or hammer on, our strings. They awaken us. They whet our thirsts and satisfy, if only ephemerally, our needs. And, most terrifyingly for some, what if the feelings are genuine, well based and potentially endurable?
this is the most meaningful comment i’ve received as a writer thus far. you got exactly what the question underneath the impulse to stress test is; a plea for validation. wanting to know that whatever was experienced in that liminal dimension wasn’t one sided. thank you for this.
Thanks. That plea for validation, the question of authenticity, is what your writing, material and poignant throughout, made eminent. Did we just see that shooting star while, effectively alone, alone under the night sky or did our eyes play a trick on us? The motivation of and beneath the consideration is universal and you presented it, grounded it, bravely framed it and turned it over repeatedly for examination. It resonates powerfully in the reader. It is literature. It is the manual with which wolves would, if they could, furnish to provide written explanation and accompaniment to all of their howling as a species.
I'm certain it wasn't. Courageous to have done so. I have a number of thoughts, Will share in the next couple of days when time allows for a proper thoughtfull response.
always such a pleasure to read your work, especially at 2:30am after a long day!!! i felt so immersed in your story and immediately noticed you using the third person instead of first which is often something we do instinctively when recounting painful (or sometimes traumatic) experiences that we can't place within ourselves for fear of it engulfing us. it's a defence mechanism sometimes which is not what i'm saying happened here bc your narrative style is yours but i just thought it was interesting to point out! 💛 it sounds like what you shared, while fleeting, was filled with meaning and that you helped him on his way and showed him the kindness and gentleness that it seems he so desperately needed. a lot of people go through life wishing someone could see them as keenly and as deeply as you saw him in such a short space of time. your ability to perceive the fears that people hold inside them is a gift and one that you should always treasure because it's so healing 🥺 i hope you're doing okay and that he is too, wherever he is <3
and thank you 💕💕💕 i’ll never know if he read what i sent and grew and lived a full life and it never mattered. i chose to see the human under whatever tf that was
Gigi, this is absolutely fantastic work! I am flooredddd. I loved this so much. The take on all those little 'what if's' complied into one breathtaking story. So well done <3
thanks for reading!!
Dismayed that this has not caught the attention of thousands. I'll have more to say but for now, gotta go to work.
i look forward to hearing your thoughts! i appreciate the praise, this wasn’t easy to sit with and put out.
My first thoughts are of a more general nature concerning human behaviour as it relates to seeking connection vis a vis the "ether". This matter is not as important as the personal dimension you courageously identify in your writing. It is, however, to my mind, my own sensible starting point. I hope it does not suggest to you that I am implying that the other more personal considerations are not as important. They are more important.
Your writing was excellent for a number of reasons. For tonight, I will share some thoughts only on what may drive us to look to the distance for what we need, and feel we lack, in close proximity. More to say on the other powerfull points later.
Lost in crowds, starved for connection in the way a person lost at sea will die of thirst surrounded by water. What surrounds us does not nourish us. We reach beyond our environment for the “true” thing that will meet our emotional needs, but we reach into communities identical to our own to pluck, while they reach into ours.
How genuine are the underpinnings, the bases of these forays, our quests or stumblings toward the object that offers promise of fulfilling our notions of love and ecstasy? We seek out from the ether, from far away lands what we feel we do not have- or what we are not open to receiving from somebody at hand. Our daydreams. The impetus of so many toward reaching out for connection through a medium that necessarily limits fullsome connection. The mechanism of safety. The immediate satiety of junk food with consumer’s remorse. We limit the non-verbal ques, we have more control over presentation and protection of self. Yes we may lay parts of our soul to bare. We throw pieces of ourselves in the pot at the center of the table as we up the ante in hopes that when it is time to call and show all cards that both have winning hands. That there was no bluffing, no misrepresentation. How genuine is connection in these circumstances, through this medium? The answer may be the same to the question of how often is attraction mistaken for connection? How bright the flame for how unlit our surroundings? What drives many of these impulses is biological, escapism etc. and fleeting to begin with. What I write above makes me seem cynical and jaded. I’m not. I believe in the power and irresistible vortex of romantic love. The intractability. The juggernaut nature of the whirlwind. It doesn’t matter that it is, as with everything broken down to the elements, chemical in origin. Baying at the moon is still baying at the moon. The impulse is genuine. The feeling is genuine. The vulnerability can be genuine. The burning, yearning need is genuine. The overture is genuine. Such connections are not counterfeit in that they do pluck, or hammer on, our strings. They awaken us. They whet our thirsts and satisfy, if only ephemerally, our needs. And, most terrifyingly for some, what if the feelings are genuine, well based and potentially endurable?
this is the most meaningful comment i’ve received as a writer thus far. you got exactly what the question underneath the impulse to stress test is; a plea for validation. wanting to know that whatever was experienced in that liminal dimension wasn’t one sided. thank you for this.
Thanks. That plea for validation, the question of authenticity, is what your writing, material and poignant throughout, made eminent. Did we just see that shooting star while, effectively alone, alone under the night sky or did our eyes play a trick on us? The motivation of and beneath the consideration is universal and you presented it, grounded it, bravely framed it and turned it over repeatedly for examination. It resonates powerfully in the reader. It is literature. It is the manual with which wolves would, if they could, furnish to provide written explanation and accompaniment to all of their howling as a species.
I'm certain it wasn't. Courageous to have done so. I have a number of thoughts, Will share in the next couple of days when time allows for a proper thoughtfull response.
absolutely unbelievable and compelling work. i am in awe of your brain
my brain only gets credit here for the crazy situations it has allowed me to get in! lmao. this one is autobiographical
but you wrote it with your brain. it is art!!!
always such a pleasure to read your work, especially at 2:30am after a long day!!! i felt so immersed in your story and immediately noticed you using the third person instead of first which is often something we do instinctively when recounting painful (or sometimes traumatic) experiences that we can't place within ourselves for fear of it engulfing us. it's a defence mechanism sometimes which is not what i'm saying happened here bc your narrative style is yours but i just thought it was interesting to point out! 💛 it sounds like what you shared, while fleeting, was filled with meaning and that you helped him on his way and showed him the kindness and gentleness that it seems he so desperately needed. a lot of people go through life wishing someone could see them as keenly and as deeply as you saw him in such a short space of time. your ability to perceive the fears that people hold inside them is a gift and one that you should always treasure because it's so healing 🥺 i hope you're doing okay and that he is too, wherever he is <3
and thank you 💕💕💕 i’ll never know if he read what i sent and grew and lived a full life and it never mattered. i chose to see the human under whatever tf that was
more people should have a gentle soul like yours 🩷
i was absolutely doing that! lmao
Those “what could have been” moments are always so compelling. Well done!
thank you 💕💕