Palimpsest as metaphor for remembering is really powerful, reminds me of this line in The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje:
“We die containing a richness of lovers and tribes, tastes we have swallowed, bodies we have plunged into and swum up as if rivers of wisdom, characters we have climbed into as if trees, fears we have hidden in as if caves.
I believe in such cartography - to be marked by nature, not just to label ourselves on a map like the names of rich men and women on buildings. We are communal histories, communal books."
Palimpsest as metaphor for remembering is really powerful, reminds me of this line in The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje:
“We die containing a richness of lovers and tribes, tastes we have swallowed, bodies we have plunged into and swum up as if rivers of wisdom, characters we have climbed into as if trees, fears we have hidden in as if caves.
I believe in such cartography - to be marked by nature, not just to label ourselves on a map like the names of rich men and women on buildings. We are communal histories, communal books."
ah what a beautiful line, thanks for sharing and reading !!
So fascinating to compare a palimpsest to memory…loved this. Your writing is beautiful (and I appreciate the mention of Gaza too…subscribed!)
thank you and welcome!