Lichen Clings to the Rock

On Valentine's Day, I received all of Louis Glück's poetry books, a perfect gift. In her poem Meadowlands, she writes, 'But is waiting forever always the answer? Nothing is always the answer, the answer depends on the story.' This blog has that unknown dimension because I do not know the story until I have read the books. 

Job and Beowulf are two epic poems that I read simultaneously, both about a hero's journey. The exact date of when these poems were written is not known. Tradition would say that Job was written in the 6th century BCE and Beowulf in the 6th century AD. 

I read Job when I was in my 20's. Rereading Job made me realize how much the reader brings to the understanding of great texts. My life has changed, and my understanding of Job has now shifted to a new place. The poetry struck me. Lines such as, 'Where light is like thick darkness,' indeed left me with the depth of despair felt by Job because I, too, have felt that depth of despair. In Job 19:1, we read, 'How long will you torment me and break me in pieces with your words?' Even though God took all of Job's material possessions, family, and health, it is words that break him. It is the words of others, the words of those we love, that can harm us. After Job's friends torment him by telling him how immoral and unfaithful he is, Job speaks with honest, authentic, simple, humble, and few words. These words are what God hears and responds to, giving back and more all that Job ever had. In recent times we have seen the power of words and how they can break. To speak as Job spoke with humble, authentic words, we need to know ourselves. Saint Basil of Caesarea reminds us, 'In truth, the most difficult of all sciences is to know one's self.' Words can break; let's use our words to create peace.

Beowulf, I had not read before. I read it first, and afterward, I listened to an audible presentation. I recommend listening to this poem. Beowulf has an ethic by which he lives. This ethic determines who he is and what he conquers. It brings him to his death. 'Death is more sweet for every man of worth than life with scorn.' Beowulf understands his intention to live a noble life, or a hero's life is not an easy task. He states, 'Do all things well unto the end.' Beowulf is the story of a life well-lived, a hero's life.

The Midnight Library's main character, Nora, is searching for an ethic to, literally, live. The story takes place in the 21st century and takes on timeless themes—loneliness in the human condition and how, then, should one live life? The author's use of science and philosophy to creatively examine these themes made it a thought-provoking read. As Mrs. Elm says, 'You don't have to understand life; you just have to live it.'

A theme emerged in my reading of surrendering to the 'living of life' by knowing oneself. Each protagonist had an ethic that determined their course of action. In reflecting on my life, I see that I, too, have had an ethic that has guided my life and brought me where I am today. It was not a straight path in each of these stories or for me, and it could not be foreseen. Mrs. Elm tells Nora in Midnight Library. 'Remember the pawn is the most magical piece of all…. because a pawn is never just a pawn. A pawn is a queen in waiting. All you need to do is find a way to keep moving forward, One square after another. And you can get to the other side and hold all kinds of powers.' Even Gerald in Giraffes Can't Dance, by Giles Andreae,  a children's book, had to find himself to discover he could dance.

Matt Haig uses an idea which I also found in Shelley's Frankenstein. Haig states, 'hope emerges, where you want it to or not, and it clings to you as stubbornly as lichen clings to a rock.' Shelley said 'knowledge' clings as lichen clings to a rock. What is clinging to me as lichen clings to a rock? Hopefully, these are clinging to me: Hope. Knowledge. Peace. Love. Kindness. Truth. Beauty. Harmony. Simplicity. 

Reading list: (Reviews can be found up above in the February link.)

Giraffe Can't Dance (2002) by Giles Andreae

Read with Izzy

Hexaemeron (370 AD) by Saint Basil of Caesarea
The Midnight Library (2020) by Matt Haig
Reading i Sverige Book Club
Exodus (6th century BCE) by Moses
Great Books Project Y2Q4
Job (6th century BCE) traditions ascribe Moses as the author
Breath (2020) by James Nestor
Reading i Sverige Book Club
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (1754) by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Great Books Project Y2Q4
Beowulf (6th century) translated by J.R.R. Tolkein
Read with my Mom and brother