ON LOVE

‘Love’ is a much-used word and it may mean a lot of things. It is a feeling, an emotion, a special liking for someone or something. It is associated with heterosexual and homosexual relationship. It could be something negative if it becomes self-love. On the other hand, there is elevated love known as ‘prema’ by Hindus or ‘ishq’ by Muslims. It is the unconditional and selfless love of God. For Christians ‘GOD IS LOVE’, a very explicit message found in the New Testament which extols the virtues of love and forgiveness. In a letter to the Corinthians, St Paul wrote, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Today, William Blake’s Garden of Love has become a field covered with tangled thorny thickets watered with selfishness and greed. Love is perceived as a disposable commodity which can be bought and sold. Selfless love has been replaced by self-love and selfish love. Can we stop this downhill fall? Do we have time enough. A report by French scientists published on SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 predict a sharp rise in temperature by the end of this century accompanied by horrendous climatic conditions worldwide. Earth is warming more quickly than thought. By 2100, average temperatures could rise 7.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels if carbon emissions continue unabated, separate models from two leading research centres in France showed.

Science and Pope Francis are warning us that grave danger looms ahead but we prefer to listen to the denial industry funded by the great polluters of this world. Only love which generates care, solidarity and sharing can stop this moral decline but we prefer to listen to promises of increased wealth.

Will we be touched by works of art or by beautiful songs such as this one by Jean Ferrat?

C’EST BEAU LA VIE
Le vent dans tes cheveux blonds, le soleil à l’horizon
Quelques mots d’une chanson, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie
Un oiseau qui fait la roue sur un arbre déjà roux
Et son cri par dessus tout, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.

Tout ce qui tremble et palpite, tout ce qui lutte et se bat
Tout ce que j’ai cru trop vite à jamais perdu pour moi
Pouvoir encore regarder, pouvoir encore écouter
Et surtout pouvoir chanter, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.

Le jazz ouvert dans la nuit, sa trompette qui nous suit
Dans une rue de Paris, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.
La rouge fleur éclatée d’un néon qui fait trembler
Nos deux ombres étonnées, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.

Tout ce que j’ai failli perdre, tout ce qui m’est redonné
Aujourd’hui me monte aux lèvres en cette fin de journée
Pouvoir encore partager ma jeunesse, mes idées
Avec l’amour retrouvé, que c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.
Pouvoir encore te parler, pouvoir encore t’embrasser
Te le dire et le chanter, oui c’est beau, c’est beau la vie.

LAVI ZOLI
Divan dan seve frengan, soley pa rod paravan
Parol enn sante lontan, li zoli, lavi zoli
Enn zwazo lao-lao ranz so nik lor pie koko
So sante pa konn defo, li zoli, lavi zoli.

Tou seki bouze, vibre, tou seki zame kile
Tou seki dan mo krwayans zame pa pou retourne
Tank lizie ankor trouve, e zorey ankor tande
Tank kapav ankor sante, li zoli, lavi zoli.

Kan lamizik Ernest Wiehe pe soufle ler prefere
Dan lari lavil Porlwi, li zoli, lavi zoli
Kan rouz boukiebanane dir nou pa dekouraze
Parski lavi kontinie, li zoli, lavi zoli.

Tou seki mo finn perdi, tou seki mo finn gagne
Zordi ape revini ler soley pe al kouse
Kan kapav ankor done, mo lafors ek mo lide,
Kan lamour pa pe boude, li zoli, zoli lavi.
Kan ankor kapav koze, ankor anvi anbrase
Dir tousa ar melodi, li zoli, zoli lavi.

18.09.19

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