Oh - this piece makes me feel so wonderfully seen.
A sliver of opera singer jargon I’ve retained from my classical training is the Italian term "chiaroscuro."
It's referenced in Baroque art, as well, but in the context of operatic singing, it refers to an aspirational vocal quality, in which the bright and dark qualities of one’s vocal tone intermingle to create a rich and vibrant sound.
Literally in Italian, "chiaro" means "light," and "scuro" means "dark."
Of course, yin and yang did it first in terms of philosophy, but the comparison draws itself. The light and darkness and joy and pain of this mortal coil coexist at once, begetting all that is wondrous and fascinating about being human.
Your writing captures this experience in such an eloquent way. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Sorrowful joy/joyful sorrow ... ever so Buddhist. Pema Chodron writes of the gloriously wretched ... we can all relate.
The large winged black birds that circle over my tree farm retreat are Black Vultures and/or Turkey Vultures ... They make my heart soar as they ride the thermals with effortless ease. The Turkey Vultures Latin name is Catharses Aura. I love that ... they are natures sanitation team ... they eat carrion. They may symbolically 'clean the aura' of those dancing the sky with them as you so beautifully describe.
I celebrate your joy and embrace you in your sorrow.
This piece is the incarnate experience of “Joy and Sorrow” by Khalil Gibran. How cathartic and healthy to fully surrender to “your joy is your sorrow unmasked.” Meanwhile, while I was in New Mexico, I had the same experience with the giant black birds and all Google would tell me is that they’re either common crows or ravens. Either way, they are ancient symbols... harbingers of change... the death of one era to usher in the life of a new era to come. Welcome to your new era, Mari!
I started to date my now husband a few weeks before my mother died. And then I graduated from College, moved to another city for postgrad, gave up the postgrad because I couldn't handle grief alone. It was all hell and all wonderful, the kind of thing that happens in my life all the time.
Sorrowfully rejoicing the belly birth of my firstborn, my beautiful daughter. Grieving the cutting through 7 layers of my amazing body while celebrating the milk coming through my chest, even in the midst of pain. Trying to swallow my choice to obliterate my core, while in awe at the work my abdomen has been doing all this time. Baby steps as I feel the full weight of my unencumbered organs. Unable to take a deep full breath, feeling the pain of every chuckle.
Ah Mari, I relate so much to you. In the small and big things-- being a sensitive Libra, water being my element, gifts being my love language-- and so many other small things. Thank you for sharing yourself and helping me feel more comfortable in all that I am. So many congrats on your engagement. Xx
This is so so beautiful and encouraging as the deep-seeded realizations that life will probably always contain both grief and joy has set in. Thank you for such an important piece and I want to save it to remind myself of the intermingling of it all and the reminder of feeling “full.” I just finished Kathryn Schulz’s Lost and Found and feel like you’d enjoy reading it if you haven’t! Again, thank you.
Thank you for this 🙏 Ive been going through a big life transition, one that I initiated myself, but have been feeling a huge amount of doubt and grief since beginning. Your words have given me a new perspective on the hardship and I really appreciate it. Curious about who those folks are who rejoice while suffering, and if there are any resources you might point someone towards who would like to learn to cultivate similar beliefs? Regardless, thanks again. I see myself coming back to read this post often
My first thought when you mentioned joyful breakup songs was “Anything but Me” by MUNA (one of my all time favorite songs) but reading the rest of the post I don’t think it’s the same vibe you’re describing… regardless strongly recommend it (and the whole album - in particular I think you might really appreciate “Loose Garment”)
Your words have offered such hope and encouragement which are exactly what I need this morning (and every morning). Two big heartbreaks later, I’m finding glimmers of joy in life again.
Oh - this piece makes me feel so wonderfully seen.
A sliver of opera singer jargon I’ve retained from my classical training is the Italian term "chiaroscuro."
It's referenced in Baroque art, as well, but in the context of operatic singing, it refers to an aspirational vocal quality, in which the bright and dark qualities of one’s vocal tone intermingle to create a rich and vibrant sound.
Literally in Italian, "chiaro" means "light," and "scuro" means "dark."
Of course, yin and yang did it first in terms of philosophy, but the comparison draws itself. The light and darkness and joy and pain of this mortal coil coexist at once, begetting all that is wondrous and fascinating about being human.
Your writing captures this experience in such an eloquent way. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Sorrowful joy/joyful sorrow ... ever so Buddhist. Pema Chodron writes of the gloriously wretched ... we can all relate.
The large winged black birds that circle over my tree farm retreat are Black Vultures and/or Turkey Vultures ... They make my heart soar as they ride the thermals with effortless ease. The Turkey Vultures Latin name is Catharses Aura. I love that ... they are natures sanitation team ... they eat carrion. They may symbolically 'clean the aura' of those dancing the sky with them as you so beautifully describe.
I celebrate your joy and embrace you in your sorrow.
This piece is the incarnate experience of “Joy and Sorrow” by Khalil Gibran. How cathartic and healthy to fully surrender to “your joy is your sorrow unmasked.” Meanwhile, while I was in New Mexico, I had the same experience with the giant black birds and all Google would tell me is that they’re either common crows or ravens. Either way, they are ancient symbols... harbingers of change... the death of one era to usher in the life of a new era to come. Welcome to your new era, Mari!
Just a simple thank you for sharing this.
It was everything I needed to hear in this very moment. 💛
I started to date my now husband a few weeks before my mother died. And then I graduated from College, moved to another city for postgrad, gave up the postgrad because I couldn't handle grief alone. It was all hell and all wonderful, the kind of thing that happens in my life all the time.
Sorrowfully rejoicing the belly birth of my firstborn, my beautiful daughter. Grieving the cutting through 7 layers of my amazing body while celebrating the milk coming through my chest, even in the midst of pain. Trying to swallow my choice to obliterate my core, while in awe at the work my abdomen has been doing all this time. Baby steps as I feel the full weight of my unencumbered organs. Unable to take a deep full breath, feeling the pain of every chuckle.
As always, this is beautiful. Thanks Mari
Ah Mari, I relate so much to you. In the small and big things-- being a sensitive Libra, water being my element, gifts being my love language-- and so many other small things. Thank you for sharing yourself and helping me feel more comfortable in all that I am. So many congrats on your engagement. Xx
You have a beautiful gift for weaving words and meaning. Feeling grateful for your wisdom.
This is so so beautiful and encouraging as the deep-seeded realizations that life will probably always contain both grief and joy has set in. Thank you for such an important piece and I want to save it to remind myself of the intermingling of it all and the reminder of feeling “full.” I just finished Kathryn Schulz’s Lost and Found and feel like you’d enjoy reading it if you haven’t! Again, thank you.
Thank you for this 🙏 Ive been going through a big life transition, one that I initiated myself, but have been feeling a huge amount of doubt and grief since beginning. Your words have given me a new perspective on the hardship and I really appreciate it. Curious about who those folks are who rejoice while suffering, and if there are any resources you might point someone towards who would like to learn to cultivate similar beliefs? Regardless, thanks again. I see myself coming back to read this post often
My first thought when you mentioned joyful breakup songs was “Anything but Me” by MUNA (one of my all time favorite songs) but reading the rest of the post I don’t think it’s the same vibe you’re describing… regardless strongly recommend it (and the whole album - in particular I think you might really appreciate “Loose Garment”)
Beautiful! Thank you for this. I wrote this piece on grief and yours reminded me to check in with where I was at with my own - https://medium.com/@merylrowlands/the-pull-of-grief-e641512e03c0
Thank you again
Adding a song for this type of break-up playlist: Every Time I Hear That Song by Brandi Carlile
Your words have offered such hope and encouragement which are exactly what I need this morning (and every morning). Two big heartbreaks later, I’m finding glimmers of joy in life again.
Thanks for this Mari 🥰