Gratitude
Misty
I bumped into Tadao Ando last night, a dream I assume or perhaps an accidental slip into some nearby quantum driven alternativity. I was assuaging my disquiet, at the time, with a visit to Silence. As the plumes of fine mist dissipated, his silhouetted face pulled to clear focus. Through the balmy summer lack of air, we acknowledged each other in a barely perceptible gesture before conversing in a language neither of us could speak. The unreality of the situation patently clear as I perfectly related the enormous influence his work had had upon my well-being and that he got it. Physically moved. A tear formed in the corner of his eye, crawled slowly, steadily, down his cheek and plummeted audibly into his Silence. As it splashed into the shallow water the vapour mechanism kicked in and he faded away, leaving me, again, alone in my thoughts and a misty tinnitus. It was the greatest honour to meet him. Even more to succinctly illustrate my admiration. I wish it ever this easy to convey a gratitude.
Taken in Mount Street, Mayfair, London in July 2022 / Nikon d750
I thought you might find this word and description of it “a soulful one” with its origins in Russia:
Toska
"No single word in English renders all the shades of toska. At its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases it may be the desire for somebody of something specific, nostalgia, love-sickness. At the lowest level it grades into ennui, boredom.”
Ah ha! It was all right there, the dance you summon within the words you chose to describe a beautiful moment in time! I’m learning, your incredible use of the English language is what is fascinating and captures your reader’s attention and imagination, pointing us to our own dreams, desires, wishes and thoughts. Tadao Andō, with his own complicated successful life, much like you, continues to provide inspiration for all who need it. :)