tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528794306662774517.post3160786337831306523..comments2022-05-29T15:09:04.934-07:00Comments on The African Muse: useful beautyalligator legshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02864977851259666502noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528794306662774517.post-80025848913119017052009-11-29T21:10:23.442-08:002009-11-29T21:10:23.442-08:00You wrote: "But I'm beginning to think th...You wrote: "But I'm beginning to think that most of the heaviness is likely what the reader brings to the page." <br>This may sound trite but a huge chunk if not everything of what we call human existence is actually what we (the reader) bring to the situation (page)...daily I am reminded by events that perception is indeed reality as far as human interactions are concerned and this chord rings with a higher note still concerning the subject of beauty. I call it the MYSTERY OF APPEAL. At the risk of sounding banal, the mystery of appeal is actually heavily influenced by the appeal of mystery. In my younger years (high school that is) when I was wont to split hairs on every subject, and still do, I would argue that being pretty does not necessarily mean being beautiful; a beautiful face or form is not an outward expression of an equally beautiful soul if it is lacking in grace and nobility of spirit; in the absence of such a nobility of heart, such a beauty might as well be that of a "frivolous doll in pink and white with hair oftentimes not her own" ; my guess is that you concur with this sentiment when you wrote: "What I've also learned from her -- and myself, in my old age -- is that beauty is only important where useful. The kind that sits and is admired is useless; the kind that loves and nurtures and protects and perseveres is useful."<br> Your posts are always interesting to read, very thoughtful and has this element about it that commands an immediacy to everyday life.Eyitemi Egwuenuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11052179254104034961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528794306662774517.post-44674355832017977542010-08-21T14:43:49.383-07:002010-08-21T14:43:49.383-07:00"Writing, I always thought, was heavy stuff. ...<i>"Writing, I always thought, was heavy stuff. But I'm beginning to think that most of the heaviness is likely what the reader brings to the page. I've been learning lately that a writer writes best with love and generosity and laughter."</i><br><br>Ditto!!!Jayceehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06618639466963813761noreply@blogger.com