In the “heavenly conversation” between humans and gods at a feast, each speaks from the heart about matters of fate, in contrast to matters that can be mastered, and, as a consequence, they speak to each other wholeheartedly, i.e. as friends.
Just as language has its origin in such a conversation (feast), so, too, the conversation “makes” for friends rather than vice versa, “bringing them into their authentic essence, for which they do not of themselves and never directly suffice.” Constantly threatened by prattle (Geschwätz), conversations do not always succeed, but when they do, they are poetic.
Daniel O. Dahlstrom
Lexicon 128 | Gespräch
not a map
breadcrumbs
and certainly not a tourist
visiting
place to place
bucket lists and guidebooks
schedules and travel advisories
USA Today
collecting experiences
stamps in a passport
miles traveled
trinkets from the local market
souvenirs
see!
look where i’ve been
a wish
a fantasy
a tourist
an emotional tourist
(just passing through)
look for their sneakers
oh, how they love their sneakers
opening themselves
frequently
to impress
and little more
they love you
they love diet coke
no matter
they drink all the same
It’s good
(but only when it’s cold)
when they’ve had their fill
into the recycling bin
(unless a trash can is closer)
tourists
let them dine at TGIFridays
retreat to their hotels
their marriots, holiday inns
the best western
(the one in the good part of town)
safely separated
elevators and keycards
behind glass
animals at the zoo
close
but not too close
the man at the front desk
tells them where to go
he knows
he lives here
trust is not time
looks but does not see
talks but does not speak
visits but not stay
no matter
share your table
with the worthy
the few
the sneakerless
From the work Emotional Tourist (just passing through)
by Len Luterbach
Until next Tuesday (unless we’re all devoured by Gremlins)
Chau,
Len