Marginalia

An artist sent back to me one of my own books. This was not your usual return from a disgruntled reader. This was an art return. Let me explain. Merete Veian, a textile artist with a penchant for drawing, bought my book, Arcades Tarot, a collection of haiku poems composed on the strength of six cards together. In gratitude for what she took from the book, she decided to offer in return her own images around my haikus. An illustrated book was born. Imagine to be honored in this way…

This sparked some thought about art books, and about just what exasperates me when I dive into occult literature. I concluded the following: What people want is not cheap and ephemeral validation and confirmation of their identities. People want an author and an artist's lust for life. I'm invested in this desire myself. I buy the books and cards of authors and artists, if I can clearly see that their lust comes across. If that's not present, then I activate my lamentation and act in accordance: 'Please stop. Don't waste my time...'

I thank Merete Veian for her lust here. An incredible life force comes through in her performance. What used to be a regular hardback book is now raised to a whole other dimension. We must honor such genius and be grateful when we encounter it.

November 8, 2021