To be sure, scientific analysis and logical argument
hold sway. And must. But Einar Selvik's song Helvegen
speaks to me deeply too, perhaps in other ways, and
in ways that no other song has.
Marianne von Werefkin's 1927 Ave Maria
painting has strong religious undertone. Although
central to the composition, the church is set deep
in the background, painted near-white. It is
therefore detached from the rich colours and
textures of everyday cosmopolitan life shown in
the foreground. In the foreground, the three
groups of people represent three different
relations to religion. Whatever, it's a beautiful
painting.
It is today in a small and remote clearing in the
forest 1300 years ago. Our people gather as they
have gathered before. Old and young, weak and
strong, we come. We must come, for we are bound,
bonded by circles of family and friendship. By
fear and by fable.
I am the narrow neck of an hourglass. My place is
called Now. I exist mostly in a passive state,
accepting the volley of events as they slip
rapidly straight through me, like water on a grating.
They are brief snapshots, informing my holder's
consciousness, becoming his consciousness.
