Humans, and other animals, perhaps even some trees and plants, create borders to defend oneself, to keep out others, or – as an alternative – to lock (imprison) an opponent or prey.
Walking in the mountains, along old pathways of minimal capacity, I encountered barriers formed by steep rocks, that often forced me to return. At other moments, the physical capacity and lack of endurance within, blocked my way of going.
When examining the meaning, or the effect, of a wall (boundary, barrier or border) encountered on our path, or raised by ourselves as means of confinement or defense, differences become evident, depending upon our position.
In five images and texts, I will illustrate these differences.
(1) Bricks (for instance)
Take bricks, for instance / and put them on top / of one another. // This will separate / two parts. // The one you’re in / and the one you’re not in. // Didn’t realize before / that death was just another wall.
(2) From the outer into the inner world
Although the world / of our neighbours often looks better / than our own / most people will stick where they are. //
Here / is the passage / from the outer world / into the inner world / but it can be reached only / by crawling in between two iron plates.
(3) YOU CANNOT RESTRAIN ME: “No, you can’t “
(related is the following imaginary sensation)
(4) Locked
“For a long time / I was locked / in myself / and in the eyes / of other people. //
Until the pressure / became too high / that made me explode”.
(echo from ‘Keefman’, bundle by dutch poet Jan Arends)
(4) Every grain of sand
My feet wear off / on a road / that is not indicated. //
Down to the raw flesh and / the pain tells / there is no end /
other than unexpected / as destined by hazard, /
that is bloodless, and astir.
(c) Drager Meurtant, photos and texts 2014-2017)
