DS 358 mentions a letter, sent to B. from someone living in
what he calls “pockets of grief” out in the world, that keep him awake at
night. He continues here with more about that letter, sent from a woman who was
raped at age ten, and writing to him about her subsequent difficulties. It
seems the letter reported a near-death or near-suicide from drug overdose, and
a general inability to form positive relationships with men. His helplessness
is understandable. She needs therapy and support, something that can’t be
offered from halfway across the world from a stranger.
Why did she write him? Who knows? The fact he was unknown to
her probably helped, and the wounded persona developed in his work might have
made it seem like they had something in common. Why does he write about her? Partly
it’s to call attention to being someone caring and gentle enough to be this
kind of emotional confidante. That’s not as self-serving as it sounds. People
do it all the time, at least in confidence with friends. B. seems to have fulfilled
his human need to confide to someone through his work, so here it is. In the
end, it’s just that the letter triggered some level of concern and thoughtfulness.
Ten years old. Devastated. It’s appalling, what some people are capable of.
This is a rare DS where I think B really isn't thinking about himself.
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