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Speaking Ruins, by Swapan K Banerjee

8/1/2021

10 Comments

 
The writer and I met at Victoria Memorial during a lit-fest. I waited till he finished with the autograph hunters. He’s a coffee-man. We sneaked into Flurys.

You often speak to ruins and they speak back. Is that true?

Yes, I chat with forts, abandoned houses and the like.

How do you do this?

It just happens. When you’re made to go through fire and ice in life, you become a ruin yourself. Now I’m able to interpret their vibes, and they mine.

Do you find them more interesting than humans?

Infinitely so! They suffer so gracefully, unlike the flesh-and-blood.

10 Comments
Paritosh Chandra Dugar
8/1/2021 07:24:54 am

A great message so beautifully, gracefully, and thoughtfully conveyed! Excellent, Swapan.

Reply
Pamela Kennedy
8/1/2021 12:54:02 pm

Everything has a history...so many stories to tell...enjoyed your story, Swapan.

Reply
Krystyna
8/1/2021 04:27:45 pm

Like walls in our homes, ruins speak. Do we always hear them?
There are those among us who are drawn to the mystery of their beginnings. As if spirits want us to visit their humble beginnings,
You, Swapan, are being led into the past... until necessity brings you back to the present.

Reply
Jim link
8/1/2021 07:07:40 pm

This is the ultimate "if the walls could speak" story, Swapan. Nicely done!
Jim

Reply
Candace Arthuria Williams
9/1/2021 01:19:01 am

Loved the fire and ice metaphor. Beautifully written, Swapan.

Reply
Swapan k Banerjee
9/1/2021 06:08:54 am

Grateful for your deep understanding Paritosh Pamela Krystyna Jim Candace ...

Reply
Mary Wallace
9/1/2021 10:10:10 pm

Beautiful Swapan. If only we could hear history told by ruins rather than just trying to interpret what we see. How much more accurate would be our history books?

Reply
Swapan k Banerjee
10/1/2021 05:10:22 am

Thank you Mary for the perceptive point you made. Always gratifying to hear from you.

Reply
Sue Clayton
10/1/2021 07:15:43 am

Are the ghosts of ruined flesh and blood also enabled to speak through the grace of the ruins they once inhabited, I wonder. "Buildings suffering gracefully" are beautiful words, as is your story, Swapan.

Reply
Swapan k Banerjee
10/1/2021 08:46:09 am

Exactly what you say happens in George Saunders' magnum opus. You always see with a different eye, Sue.

Reply



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