Two weeks ago, I pointed to several Aesthetic Realism maxims by Eli Siegel from his book Damned Welcome: Aesthetic Realism Maxims. These statements—many of them swift and pithy—are, he wrote, “meant to bother into appreciation.” I find myself thinking of some of these maxims as I try to make sense of what’s happening in our confusing time.
So here are others that encourage me very much.
“If you have time, remember it’s a privilege.”
“The universe, being clever, has given scientists trouble.”
“Let us not be angry at the way we’re angry.”
“It hasn’t yet been scientifically proved that any lovely thing is really over.”
“We are of the world; our job is to be fair to the preposition.”