ra, i must say that i included art and philosophy on purpose. for me, they exist out there and we sort of extract them and shape them, thus turning them into our own creations. but they are 'natural' to begin with, as far as i sense them. i am fortunate to be able to say that i have experienced (and still do) unconditional love towards other humans, but i agree that regarding most of our creations love is much more demanding.

as for other animals, i agree with you too, having grown up surrounded by a diverse lot of them. and i have this beautiful memory, which happened often: looking at the roof of my parents' house and seeing my grandfather's pigeons just sitting there, completely in tune (in love) with each other, the sun, the breeze or the sky.

love, fátima

yes, i was thinking the same way re: art (i will ponder this take on philosophy) and of course beauty.  Thinking about those moments when the connection is so simple it is actually unavoidable.  it comes back to resonance for me - which, i know, sounds like the quintessential southern California cliche -- the merging of frequencies, or the act of riding upon the wave.  How perfect your poem, fatima.

What struck me most about the elephants was how willing they were to share their love with other species.  I experienced this first-hand on numerous occasions and I also saw unbelievable sweetness expressed between them and their barn cats.  There is nothing like a group hug with elephants ! ! !

peace,  ra

ra, i can definitely see your point or should i say feel it (even a quintessential cliché can't escape some of its founding truthfulness ): being on the same energy level, even or especially a spiritual one, sharing the same wavelength.

by the way, i'm sure you understood that the poem above is not mine, although there's a current which defends that translators and their translations work within their own (artistic) right. anyway, i did translate it and took some small liberties with it.

ah, the liberty those elephants you met allow themselves to feel and share! sometimes i sense that, regarding love between people, it all depends on whether or not we allow ourselves to feel and share a similar kind of freedom.  

love, fátima

fatima,  you wrote, " regarding love between people, it all depends on whether or not we allow ourselves to feel and share a similar kind of freedom."  I had thought this very thing but you have put it so well.  I think of the willingness to surrender to another -- to let down all barriers, and ride the freedom together.  As an elementary school teacher, I spend lots of my time with children, making sure to get over to the kinderkids whenever possible.  I see how easily these li'l ones accept one another and barge head-first into their fantasy games.  Complete surrender.  It is very cool.  Too bad growing up taints us with so many negatives.  Seems so many of us are having to work very hard to rid ourselves of all the discolorations just to uncover what we've had within us all along. 

Thank you, fatima, for sharing your insights and wisdom here on the MB.  It is always a pleasure to share a conversation with you.

Peace will come -- through justice.  Ra