[This is the first post in a series entitled Imagine All the People. I do not claim to do justice to the amazing people in my life with these small images of who they are to me. But because I have been given so much, changed so much, loved so much by these friends, family members, and acquaintances, I want to share them with you. These are the people who have helped to make me who I am.]
The thing I love the most about being with her is talking good. Yeah, talking good. I thought there might be a better, more elegant way of putting it, but talking good is it. She taught me how to talk good about people. When I remember Carmen, there is a certain atmosphere that my memory plays back. It feels warm and bright. There is a buzzing, words upon words flying out from us and around us and circling the room only to land lightly on our shoulders and our cheeks. Our words turn into bees busy making the sweet honey of conversation, of authentic dialogue. And we talk good about people we know. We talk good about Ben, how intelligent he is, how we're still reeling from his latest poem; we talk good about Bill Rice, how kind he is, how he can write the pants off any Pulitzer Prize winner any day of the week, how much he knows about good music; we talk good about her kids; we talk good about my mom; we talk good about Hildegard of Bingen; we just talk good. And I am filled with a healthy affirmation of humanity. And talking good leaves a rich and delicious taste in my mouth.
Most of all, Carmen is real. And she thinks I'm much smarter than I am, which is always nice.
(You can get to know Carmen for yourself at her website, or through her incredible translations and books.)
That is a most excellent description of Carmen. Well done. (And I wholeheartedly agree with the last line- she's so good at that!)
ReplyDeleteOf course, Danielle, my first comment has to be that that is absolutely well-written; therefore, I'm especially honored to be the subject of such splendid writing! Sitting here without lipstick on and therefore without any said lipstick on my teeth (insert horsey--which you kindly called "robust"--laughter here), I have to say that I LOVED your piece. I hope I can do it justice. It reminds me to talk good about others. And the bit about thinking that you and Celestia are smart is right on, and you are even smarter than I can describe, too! And that's the unvarnished truth. You are the best there is. I'm so happy that you are happy! Take good care, and thanks for the shout-out! Carmen
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