Nathalie Stephens
Touch to Affliction
First the invocation of distance…
It is not possible in your language to grieve. To touch the lungs that collapse or the bones that break. Water pouring from an unbreathing mouth. It is not a matter of words for things. Rather it is a matter of distance between the word and the thing.
Second, distance not only between word and thing but also between word and word…
In another language I would say: Désincarné. But I would not say: Disembodied.
Third, tied to place and yet unmoored…
Le corps is not the same as corpse. And this is not Paris. But it’s close enough.
Hence to the possibility of grieving.
And so for day 2585
10.01.2014