Discoursing with an ancient sacred text

This blog is a philosophical exploration of the Song of Songs. My project explores a Cixousian (écriture féminine) encounter with biblical literature along subjective existential lines. In particular I am exploring life, meaningfulness, encounter and freedom as these contradict death, absurdity, separation and oppression. This discourse with the Song of Songs & other biblical texts seeks the critical moment that sparks transformation in the present.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Frankincense, myrrh and all the chief spices

We went walking around the old city today.  Its shabbat so everything is subdued.  We found coffee with cardamon and we are making it ourselves in a little enamel pot with a long handle.  We are almost through all our lovely foods from Mahane Yehuda.  I had thought we had bought plenty.  As we walked today towards the Damascus Gate we met an old arabian man who was selling spices for incense.  He sold us (probably for too much!!) a little bag full of frankincense, myrrh and another called something like zatar, and another called amber.  he was burning some in a little gold container.  it was sweet and sharp to smell.

you can't be a lover in this city.  there are too many people, too close, too frantic.  You have to go out to the wilderness to find some peace, to be alone... unless you are wealthy and can afford a garden, but even then, too close, too urban.

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