The Luthier’s Lament
I make the instruments
but choose not to play them
I know the words
but choose not to say them
I’ve got my demons
but choose not to slay them
I make the instruments
but choose not to play them
12/22
In these lines, we find a profound reflection on choice, agency, and the complexities of existence. The act of creating instruments but choosing not to play them, knowing words but opting not to speak them, and having demons yet not slaying them, speaks to a deeper understanding of our relationship with our abilities, expressions, and challenges.
Contemplating Choice and Agency
The metaphor of making instruments but not playing them reveals a nuanced aspect of our creative existence. It suggests that the act of creation doesn’t obligate us to engage with the creation in expected ways. This choice represents our agency in deciding how we interact with the fruits of our creativity, acknowledging that creation itself can be an end, not just a means to an end.
Creation as an End in Itself
Knowing the words but choosing silence is another poignant aspect of this reflection. It highlights the power and responsibility that comes with knowledge and expression. The choice to remain silent, even when one possesses the words, is a testament to the depth of understanding that sometimes what is not said is as powerful as what is spoken.
The Power of Silence
The relationship with one’s demons, and the choice not to slay them, speaks to the acceptance and coexistence with our inner challenges and shadows. It suggests a perspective where these demons are not just adversaries to be conquered but integral parts of our being that contribute to our complexity and depth.
Acceptance and Coexistence with Inner Challenges
In the repetition of the line “I make the instruments but choose not to play them,” there is a reinforcement of the theme of choice and the acknowledgment of the multitude of paths available to us. It’s a reminder that in our journey, we are not bound to follow conventional paths or expectations.
Reinforcing the Theme of Choice
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We are delving into the meaning behind the expression of creating instruments but not playing them, knowing words but not speaking them, and having demons but not slaying them. This reflection emphasizes the importance of choice, the power of silence, and the acceptance of one’s inner complexities. It highlights our agency in how we engage with our creations, expressions, and challenges.
Glossarium
- Choice and Agency: The power to make decisions that shape our interaction with the world.
- Power of Silence: The impactful choice of when to speak and when to remain silent.
- Inner Challenges: The complexities and difficulties within us that contribute to our depth.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
Verse on Choice and Existence
We craft the strings, yet play no tune,
In silence, our words become the moon.
Demons dance, yet we watch in peace,
In our choices, our souls release.
Thoughts and perspectives on the intricate dance of creation, expression, and inner challenges are always welcomed in our shared discourse.
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