“Carve away the parts that are untrue.” Her mouth does not cleave as she speaks, though a frosted air remains at her lips. “Carve until only the story remains.”
This is distilled goodness--I love it, Nathan. And you know what's weird? I hesitate to say, but as I was moving laundry from the washer to the dryer this evening the word "leviathan" just randomly popped into my mind.
Oooh, now this is my kind of weird. It's funny, you know, I have no idea where this whole thing came from. I was standing outside, waiting for the tram in the city, and a waft of something just blew by and I scribbled it out. I haven't read much Le Guin (though what I have read I have loved), but I couldn't help but think of Le Guin as I wrote this, so I can only assume that the waft of something that blew through the air continued on its way and found you moving your laundry and the word "leviathan" was spoken.
Haha! That’s a perfectly good explanation. I was just moving the clothes from one machine to the other and—for no reason—the word “leviathan” came in my head and I thought “What a beautiful word! I really *like* that word.” That was it.
Maybe that’s exactly how it works—it’s all just wind.
Really great. did you have to carve away a lot from this to get to what it is or did it just flow out in one go, as effortlessly as it reads? we so want more... but then would any more just be untruths?
"but then would any more just be untruths?" -- brilliant, Nick. I like this a lot.
Well, I don't want to say it all just flowed out because that feels too arrogant, but it essentially did. I don't think it was me, though. I think I was just touched--for a mere few minutes whilst waiting for the tram in the city--by something that wafted through the air.
yes sometimes one wonders where the images come from. this piece is so evocative and strange and the names of mystical beasts seem immediately to be the right names for things that don't exist here... how did that get into your mind! well done for catching hold of it and thanks for sharing with us!
This reads like a seminal revelation, Nathan. One to be listened to. It reminds me of the words of Michelangelo, " I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Sculpture or writing, it is the same. Lovely.
I've always loved that quote and I've always been fascinated by sculpture and sculpting for that very reason, along with the fact that I have zero artistic ability to sculpt or draw.
As I wrote this piece, it did feel like I was peering into some other place of myth and folklore and I couldn't help but feel it ended up precisely as long as it needed to be.
This is overwhelmingly beautiful, Nathan. A concentrated blend of perfectly carved words. I felt as if I were immersed in a story written on a parchment unearthed under mysterious circumstances. Your prose and choice of words are truly exquisite.
Love this. It speaks to writing as being the pursuit of truth (Idk which famous writer said that)... the quest to make your words as true as you can possibly make them. You can call it voice but I do think it's deeper than that. In writing (especially fiction), we strive to uncover what's true to us. This one feels very true although I probably couldn't articulate what half of it means haha.
Yes! I've written stories that I couldn't really explain too but then again, it's not our job to explain. That's for others ;) and it's always fun to hear interpretations!
Good god this is baffling and beautiful. Almost feels like a creation story, the carving motions of the earth’s story waxing and waning with the moon and the bone’s arrival from the deep. The dark, chtonic feminine making her cyclical offering so the light of the masculine can scythe and shape our story of existence. I would be happy to adopt this vision to enlighten my understanding of this world.
This , Nathan , is a gorgeous piece of writing. A skrimshander, there
could be an entire history of the world in their intricate designs. My Dad had a whale bone, picked it up somewhere over seas when he was in the Navy. I used to gaze at it, make up stories from the pictures. Folklore, ancient tales, I had an active imagination. Skrimshander, I hope someday you might revisit with pen in hand.
Yes it was, might as well been cordoned off with a velvet rope. I could look but not touch. Which was a good idea in hindsight, at that age, I probably would have brought it outside and built a little house for it out of sticks…
“Carve away the parts that are untrue.” Her mouth does not cleave as she speaks, though a frosted air remains at her lips. “Carve until only the story remains.”
This is distilled goodness--I love it, Nathan. And you know what's weird? I hesitate to say, but as I was moving laundry from the washer to the dryer this evening the word "leviathan" just randomly popped into my mind.
Oooh, now this is my kind of weird. It's funny, you know, I have no idea where this whole thing came from. I was standing outside, waiting for the tram in the city, and a waft of something just blew by and I scribbled it out. I haven't read much Le Guin (though what I have read I have loved), but I couldn't help but think of Le Guin as I wrote this, so I can only assume that the waft of something that blew through the air continued on its way and found you moving your laundry and the word "leviathan" was spoken.
Haha! That’s a perfectly good explanation. I was just moving the clothes from one machine to the other and—for no reason—the word “leviathan” came in my head and I thought “What a beautiful word! I really *like* that word.” That was it.
Maybe that’s exactly how it works—it’s all just wind.
This is one of the best stories ever!
Actually, there is an Ancient Squid who lives in the drain pipe of my washer.
Came with the house.
At least he's friendly...
This is even more intriguing ...
😂
It’s mesmerizing prose, Nathan and invokes such a complete world with so few lines.
I totally agree, Ben.
Thanks so much, Ben. 🙏
Really great. did you have to carve away a lot from this to get to what it is or did it just flow out in one go, as effortlessly as it reads? we so want more... but then would any more just be untruths?
"but then would any more just be untruths?" -- brilliant, Nick. I like this a lot.
Well, I don't want to say it all just flowed out because that feels too arrogant, but it essentially did. I don't think it was me, though. I think I was just touched--for a mere few minutes whilst waiting for the tram in the city--by something that wafted through the air.
yes sometimes one wonders where the images come from. this piece is so evocative and strange and the names of mystical beasts seem immediately to be the right names for things that don't exist here... how did that get into your mind! well done for catching hold of it and thanks for sharing with us!
Great question. Another thought from Michelangelo, Nick. "If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn't call me a genius."
Great quote!
“Carve away the parts that are untrue.” oooh, what a line! I agree with Ann; it's sublime. Love this short vignette.
Thank you. It was all I could manage this week to pen such a short piece, but I'm pleased you enjoyed. :)
quality over quantity! ;)
I was just about to say something very similar! A perfectly carved vignette.
Thank you! Not sure where it came from, but I'm happy with the result.
This reads like a seminal revelation, Nathan. One to be listened to. It reminds me of the words of Michelangelo, " I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Sculpture or writing, it is the same. Lovely.
I've always loved that quote and I've always been fascinated by sculpture and sculpting for that very reason, along with the fact that I have zero artistic ability to sculpt or draw.
As I wrote this piece, it did feel like I was peering into some other place of myth and folklore and I couldn't help but feel it ended up precisely as long as it needed to be.
That's exactly what came to.my mind as well, Sharron.
Absolutely loved this Nathan. Truly stunning writing 🙏
Thank you, Dan. That means a lot.
You’re really pushing your prose to new levels!
🙌 Trying, though not easy and likely why this is so short hehe.
This is overwhelmingly beautiful, Nathan. A concentrated blend of perfectly carved words. I felt as if I were immersed in a story written on a parchment unearthed under mysterious circumstances. Your prose and choice of words are truly exquisite.
How wonderful to have that description! Thanks so much my friend.
Feels like the creation myth of the akashic records. Wonderfully eerie, Nathan.
Thanks so much, Troy. 😊
Love this. It speaks to writing as being the pursuit of truth (Idk which famous writer said that)... the quest to make your words as true as you can possibly make them. You can call it voice but I do think it's deeper than that. In writing (especially fiction), we strive to uncover what's true to us. This one feels very true although I probably couldn't articulate what half of it means haha.
Love these thoughts. Very much agree.
I think I struggle to articulate exactly what this one means, but I felt it more than thought it as I wrote, if that makes sense.
Yes! I've written stories that I couldn't really explain too but then again, it's not our job to explain. That's for others ;) and it's always fun to hear interpretations!
Gorgeous prose, Nathan.
Thank you, Holly. 🙏
Good god this is baffling and beautiful. Almost feels like a creation story, the carving motions of the earth’s story waxing and waning with the moon and the bone’s arrival from the deep. The dark, chtonic feminine making her cyclical offering so the light of the masculine can scythe and shape our story of existence. I would be happy to adopt this vision to enlighten my understanding of this world.
Not as beautiful as this comment. ;)
Thanks as ever, Kimberly. You enrich everything with your keen observations and thoughts.
"Chtonic" not "chronic"! Just corrected it in case you were confused. :)
First time I read, yes, hehe, but then I thought and figured perhaps that was the word. It's a great word!
Yeh, it’s one of my mostest favoritest. 😂
This , Nathan , is a gorgeous piece of writing. A skrimshander, there
could be an entire history of the world in their intricate designs. My Dad had a whale bone, picked it up somewhere over seas when he was in the Navy. I used to gaze at it, make up stories from the pictures. Folklore, ancient tales, I had an active imagination. Skrimshander, I hope someday you might revisit with pen in hand.
Thanks so much, Lor. This is certainly whalebone-inspired. Quite the curiosity item to have a whalebone as a trinket.
Yes it was, might as well been cordoned off with a velvet rope. I could look but not touch. Which was a good idea in hindsight, at that age, I probably would have brought it outside and built a little house for it out of sticks…
"Some say it does not exist. Some say it is all that exists." I love this.
Thanks, Terry. This was the one line that I wrote, then changed, then reverted back to what first got penned. Glad I stuck with my instincts.
Always, Nathan.
Pure beauty and poetry that mesmerizes and speaks of forgotten wisdom!
Thank you, Nadia. This is the feeling I get when reading it, too.
Love it, Nathan!
Thanks for reading, Camila! :D