a blog story
Thursday, May 29, 2003
This is a really nice prose published on March 14, 2000 in the Youngblood section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer written by Jonas Julius caesar Nuza. I've been keeping this newspaper clipping for three years now. It is a very interesting letter which for years I've looking forward to a response from the recipient. I promise to post it here too once i learn the answer.
FROM MIND TO HEART
Dear Heart,
It has long been my intention to drop you a line regarding our mutual employer Self. Of late, Self has not been himself. He mopes around with his head down, like a convict on Death Row. He has become sentimental to the point of silliness on account of a certain Girl. Eyes tell me Self looks at her as though it were the only relief from all that is wrong in the world. The other Senses report a similar behavior. Nose says Self becomes giddy-almost delirious-when he gets a whiff of her perfume. Being Mind, I can attest that all this is true.
Nose says that while her perfume is indeed lovely, it is nothing special or inique. It is a scent used by others, but Self pays no attention to them. Nose cannot explain why Self finds the scent so attractive on the Girl. I believe the answer lies not in the scent.
Ear reports odd inconsistencies in Self's behavior. When he hears her voice, he listens like he does to no other sound on this earth, not even the loveliest music ever composed. Ear believes that that were Self to hear heaven's own melodies, he would still prefer Girl's voice.
Tongue especially has reason to complain. He claims that the Girl's mere presence ties him up hopelessly and Self is unable to speak. He simply stares, panting gently like atired animal. Tongue insists that he is not to blame for his seeming inadequacy. he says he never fails Self in his dealings with others; in fact, Self is usually articulate & expressive. But, the Girl, Tongue says, triggers something in Self that makes him useless.
Now Heart, we have been friends for as long as I can remember. We have always regarded each other with the highest respect; and believe me when I say my regard for you is no less now. It has always been the two of us, dear friend, who controlled Self's behavior. Needless to say, I am puzzled by Self's current state. Though some information that were sent to me as well as by direct observation, I have concluded that you are to blame for the havoc wrought on Self's system.
Please do not take offense, Heart. I know that you are responsible & that you would never do anything that isn't in Self's best interest. But perhaps this once, you should reconsider your actions. Self is very much affected by what has been happening. He is incapable of doing anything useful or worthwhile. He just lies around & dreams something which I am very familiar with.
Even the Digestion Dept. has complained to me that their regular functions are being disrupted by some unknown phenomenon in Self's system. Lungs say they have cause to complain also since their breaTHING RHYTHM become irregular & even stops whenever Self sees Girl or hears her name or thinks of her. In fact, it was through they who first mentioned your name as possible culprit. Please do not hold this against them. They are only looking out for Self's best interest, like you and me.
Now I beg of you dear friend to consider the greater good. You are aware of the chaos your actions are causing inside Self. I cannot do your job for you, Heart, for your work is different from mine. But ultimately our functions are the same: to make decisions for Self, as we see fit. And until lately, we have always been in agreement as to Self's proper demeanor.
Self haslost interest in the rest of the world. He hardly eats, barely sleeps and no longer performs his duties with his old zest and enthusiasm. All he has forme is the thought of the Girl- her voice, her scent,the way she moves, the way she smiles, the sound of her laughter, and the kindness & goodness he sees in her eyes. All this I know because I am Mind. However, I can't comprehend what is happening to Self. I don't know what to do, how to react even what to think. I have also become incapacitated.
Which is why dera heart, I repeat my plea. Whatever you are doing that makes Self act the way he does, please stop it. I feel some important change coming on, some life-altering event in the horizon, and I am afraid. I do not know what to do. Something has completely taken over self & i'm afraid everything point s to you. Please do something Heart, or drop me a line & tell me what I need to know.
I cannot stand not knowing what is going on for much longer. It is my job to know. It is disgraceful to think that I cannot do what is expected of me. Heart, please, if you cannot reverse what has happened, at the very least let me know what it is that you have done to Self. I will wait for your response w/all the patience at my command.
Your dear friend,
Mind
Jitney Girl,
6:01 AM|
