You said, 'I love you.'
Why is it that the most unoriginal thing we can say to one
another is still the thing we long to hear? 'I love you' is always a quotation.
You did not say it first and neither did I, yet when you say it
and when I say it we speak like savages who have found three words
and worship them.
(excerpted from Written on the Body by jeanette winterson)
Why is it that the most unoriginal thing we can say to one
another is still the thing we long to hear? 'I love you' is always a quotation.
You did not say it first and neither did I, yet when you say it
and when I say it we speak like savages who have found three words
and worship them.
(excerpted from Written on the Body by jeanette winterson)
i recently discovered that there is something very special about the time in a relationship before the i-love-you is exchanged. there's the uncertainty and anticipation, of course; but even more than that...
i'm speaking of the window in the relationship where you detect the slippery slope and in an effort to hold your footing, you haven't said the words yet. and what i treasure about that thimble of time is the care and creativity that you have to put into your language.
it's a dance.
a tango, sometimes. a sensual expression of emotion through heat and sexuality and flirtation. or maybe it's a waltz. a carefully coordinated interplay of tenderness and care in your words. and then sometimes, it's more like a booty-shaking dance club. the emotions firing like strobe lights and heart beating like a bass line and words flowing like liquor but making little sense.
dancing in words. right up to the edge of the slippery slope and then pulling back.
and then over the edge. beautifully choreographed in my mind, but more like a stumble and fall, in reality.
a kiss on her forehead.
overwhelmed.
'i love you, i think.'
and here on the other side of the three words, i still trip over my feet and thoughts to express my emotions. at a loss for words all the time. today i used 'amaze' twice in 160 characters without even noticing. creativity clearly lacking.
but...i love words. the way they look on paper. on the screen. the shapes of the letters and the space in between them. the feel of the letters joining naturally. the flashing cursor waiting for the perfect word. the sharpened pencil poised to draw the next syllable. all of it, i love. just the other day i was challenged to choose my favorite words in one of those facebook notes and i laughed and declined the challenge.
i am quite challenged enough with words elsewhere...the savage that i am.
d: the right words.
b: i have a dictionary. and i use it.
g: the challenge.
i'm speaking of the window in the relationship where you detect the slippery slope and in an effort to hold your footing, you haven't said the words yet. and what i treasure about that thimble of time is the care and creativity that you have to put into your language.
it's a dance.
a tango, sometimes. a sensual expression of emotion through heat and sexuality and flirtation. or maybe it's a waltz. a carefully coordinated interplay of tenderness and care in your words. and then sometimes, it's more like a booty-shaking dance club. the emotions firing like strobe lights and heart beating like a bass line and words flowing like liquor but making little sense.
dancing in words. right up to the edge of the slippery slope and then pulling back.
and then over the edge. beautifully choreographed in my mind, but more like a stumble and fall, in reality.
a kiss on her forehead.
overwhelmed.
'i love you, i think.'
and here on the other side of the three words, i still trip over my feet and thoughts to express my emotions. at a loss for words all the time. today i used 'amaze' twice in 160 characters without even noticing. creativity clearly lacking.
but...i love words. the way they look on paper. on the screen. the shapes of the letters and the space in between them. the feel of the letters joining naturally. the flashing cursor waiting for the perfect word. the sharpened pencil poised to draw the next syllable. all of it, i love. just the other day i was challenged to choose my favorite words in one of those facebook notes and i laughed and declined the challenge.
i am quite challenged enough with words elsewhere...the savage that i am.
d: the right words.
b: i have a dictionary. and i use it.
g: the challenge.
......G
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