From southern/central Illinois, I give you, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." I grew up hearing this in equal frequency to tamer sayings like, "a watched pot will never boil," and "now we're cooking with gas/butter," so I never really questioned the gruesomeness of it until I was much too old. I, for one, would far prefer to remain ignorant toward all tactics of cat-skinning.
Beautiful piece, brother! I may have to start wearing green on Thursdays in defiance now lol But in all seriousness- I loved all the folk sayings, and remember hearing quite a few of these growing up here too. It's fascinating how so many of these have been passed down for so long that even some of us young people still remember them!
Another absolute banger post! I’ve walked past that “more summer, less lives” graffiti so many times and pondered what it was supposed to mean; I really like your take. I agree that we have to be careful with our narrative-making; magical thinking can be one hell of a beast. But then, the best poets are the ones who draw unexpected connections, who pay attention to patterns and the lack thereof. It’s a delicate balance, but a worthwhile one, I think. Once again, thoroughly pleasant writing, and relatable— the cognitive dissonance that comes with being an out-of-state transplant to Chicagoland is too real. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, Cara. Yeah, I've pondered the relation of poetry and philosophy a lot, since I do a lot of both. A philosophy that isn't creative and makes only the most menial and trivial of inferences is lifeless and useless; but a philosophy that flaunts any normative or logical requirments when making claims is dangerous and deceptive. I think poetry teaches us alot about what we value, how we value it, how different people value things differently, and the ways the human mind sees and finds beauty. But I also think poetry is closer to rhetoric, to seduction, and so one needs to analyze the "truths" it evokes in oneself.
And I like that you say that the best poets draw unexpected connections. Perhaps that's one good aspect philosophers can borrow, paying attention to things we hadn't yet before.
I appreciate you reading this. Have a nice Saturday.
From southern/central Illinois, I give you, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." I grew up hearing this in equal frequency to tamer sayings like, "a watched pot will never boil," and "now we're cooking with gas/butter," so I never really questioned the gruesomeness of it until I was much too old. I, for one, would far prefer to remain ignorant toward all tactics of cat-skinning.
There are also many ways to love and cuddle a cat. So let's brainstorm that instead of ways to skin... send my love to Shem! My non-skinning love!
Beautiful piece, brother! I may have to start wearing green on Thursdays in defiance now lol But in all seriousness- I loved all the folk sayings, and remember hearing quite a few of these growing up here too. It's fascinating how so many of these have been passed down for so long that even some of us young people still remember them!
I know right. The tradition lives! And yes green in queer defiance! I am all for it.
oh nicholas, i love you so much!
hehehe i win :) love you too
Another absolute banger post! I’ve walked past that “more summer, less lives” graffiti so many times and pondered what it was supposed to mean; I really like your take. I agree that we have to be careful with our narrative-making; magical thinking can be one hell of a beast. But then, the best poets are the ones who draw unexpected connections, who pay attention to patterns and the lack thereof. It’s a delicate balance, but a worthwhile one, I think. Once again, thoroughly pleasant writing, and relatable— the cognitive dissonance that comes with being an out-of-state transplant to Chicagoland is too real. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, Cara. Yeah, I've pondered the relation of poetry and philosophy a lot, since I do a lot of both. A philosophy that isn't creative and makes only the most menial and trivial of inferences is lifeless and useless; but a philosophy that flaunts any normative or logical requirments when making claims is dangerous and deceptive. I think poetry teaches us alot about what we value, how we value it, how different people value things differently, and the ways the human mind sees and finds beauty. But I also think poetry is closer to rhetoric, to seduction, and so one needs to analyze the "truths" it evokes in oneself.
And I like that you say that the best poets draw unexpected connections. Perhaps that's one good aspect philosophers can borrow, paying attention to things we hadn't yet before.
I appreciate you reading this. Have a nice Saturday.