Sunday, January 10, 2016

#375




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.

1 comment:

  1. This is a rare DS where I think B really isn't thinking about himself.

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