AP ART and TOGE THER
TodayEamonn had AP written on his forehead aud I, ART, together reading APART. When Ella and Miguel joined us, Miguel had TOGE and Ella THER, written on their brows (TOGETHER). Eamonn and I chalked AP ART beside things in the environment which were "apart", whilst Ella and Miguel identified things which were "together"." e.g. mannequins in a clothes shop window; the signpost at the top of Shipquay Street which has a multitude of pointing fingers, like branches of a tree coming "together" at the trunk.
Eamonn and I debated the meaning of "apart". It could be a name for our kind of activity, AP ART. We walked along opposite sides of Ferryquay Street. We were debating at the tops of our voices across the intervening stream of traffic the appropriateness of this arrangement. "Would people understand when we were so far apart ? Would tbey make the connection? Would it matter if they did or not?" ( Hearing and seeing our loud conversation wowould certainly establish a link.) We debated the "Apart"/"Together" paradox. To be apart, there has to be a connection. If totally distanced and unconnected things are not perceived as being apart. Only because we are connected can we be apart.
At one point Eamonn was across the road from me, Ella and Miguel. Ella and Miguel were standing very close together - I was apart from them, but nearby. A young lad spotted Eamonn with AP writen on his head. then he noticed Ella and Miguel and tried to make a connection between the three. "AP", "TOGETHER", "TOGETHER AP ?". Then he noticed me. "ART TOGETHER AP?" "AP TOGETHER ART?" Then as he moved away be suddenly turned back doing a double take "APART / IOGETHER!" He walked away, a bright happy boy.
Still with our worfds ahead we went into Fitzroy's restaurant where Julie is working for tea and coffe. Ella and Miguel were frequently entwined together. Eamonn and I sat sedately apart.
Eamonn's thought for the day was "Love is the answer to everything. Love your enemy"
