Words have the power to be weapons, medicine or anchors.
In French, “anchor” (ancre) and “ink” (encre) have different spellings but share the same magical pronunciation—a nasal sound [ɑ̃] dreaded by English speakers.
Books are my inkors of stability and solace. Amid intense and confusing times of conflict and suffering, when I am afraid, frazzled or lost, I turn to intellectuals I respect for words of wisdom and guidance.
In turning toward Delphine Horvilleur a French rabbi whose depth of feeling, knowledge, humor and commitment to bridging divides between different communities soothes me, I discovered the Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish. His poem “Think of Others” prefaces Delphine Horvilleur’s latest book, Comment ça va pas: A conversation after October 7th.
I’m unsure of the poem’s original language; I’m sharing both the French and English versions here. These words of empathy and solidarity may resonate with you or inspire you to discover your own anchors. We certainly need plenty of them!
Think of others
When you prepare your breakfast, think of others.
(Don’t forget the seed for the dove.)
When you wage your wars, think of others.
(Don’t forget those who call for peace)
When you pay your water bill, think of others.
(Those who drink from the clouds)
When you come home, your home, think of others.
(Don’t forget the nomadic people)
When you count the stars to fall asleep, think of others.
(Those who have no place to dream)
When you use metaphor in your speech, think of others.
(Those who are denied the right to speak)
When you think of others far away, think of yourself.
(Say to yourself: if only I could be a candle in the dark!)
Pense aux autres
Quand tu prépares ton petit déjeuner, pense aux autres.
(N’oublie pas la graine pour la colombe.)
Quand tu mènes tes guerres, pense aux autres.
(N’oublie pas ceux qui réclament la paix)
Quand tu règles ta facture d’eau, pense aux autres.
(Ceux qui s’abreuvent des nuages.)
Quand tu rentres à la maison, ta maison, pense aux autres.
(N’oublie pas les peuples nomades.)
Quand tu comptes les étoiles pour dormir, pense aux autres.
(A ceux qui n’ont nulle part où rêver.)
Quand tu t’exprimes par métaphore, pense aux autres.
(Ceux qui n’ont pas le droit à la parole.)
Quand tu penses aux autres au loin, pense à toi.
(Dis-toi : si seulement je pouvais être une bougie dans le noir !)