kindness of strangers
tell me in tongues
Yesterday three of us went along to a workshop whose purpose is play. They say, there is no wrong way of doing this. If you run into someone whilst crossing the room, say “Thank you.” This saying of thank you rather than sorry has transformed my street life. I no longer apologize simply for being here nor do I feel they owe me apologetics either. In this workshop we had to sit in partners and explain to each other something using a made-up language, or any sounds: “the last film you saw,” decided the convenor, 70. My mind flooded with The Great Beauty. I described it to my companion in a torrent of what doesn’t exist. Now, it does. The room was filled with people’s sounds and the great flooding windows stood open. Afterwards she said to me her dark eyes glittering with tears “I was nearly crying. That film was just so moving.”
I was curious to see how this encounter went with you. I feel blessed by your sharing. A long time ago when I was a younger and more impressionable lad, I marvelled at how we communicate so much depth of emotion through sound, tone quality of breath, but without words. Thank you, Bx
Thank you so much Brendan. I think as we get older we can stay impressionable, even if those impressions are more cautiously formed. The world is giving to us all the time, and demanding our all of us as well. I know what you mean about the ineffable ways we reach (for) each other. Cx
As soon as I read this I began to describe my favorite movie in my own babble. Complete with accents and intonation. It made complete sense to me. Now to find an audience. New party game. Can’t wait to try it!!
That is so cool!
I would love to hear about it when you do, Ian! Another InterPlay idea is that you can play in a group of three: one performs something with movement, one explains what’s happening, in gibberish, and the third person translates into English. I love this.
I love your writing, Cathoel.
Thank you James my dear, this feels beautiful to hear.
I’m so glad that InterPlay is being shared in Australia! It has been such a gift to me to travel there over the past 20+ years to lead and play with such wonderful folk! Phil Porter
The gift that keeps on giving back. I love the exchange between your part of the world and ours via this medium, Phil. Thanks for inventing it! Now if only I could find InterPlayers in Berlin…