I am sitting infront of Glacier Perito Moreno It is essentially a mass of ice over 5 km long, and contiually expanding in an advance towards the mainland. All is quiet, apart for the occasional crash of ice into the surrounding waters. This is a different sense of the Sublime. As oppposed to the ethereal desolution of Tierra del Fuego, here one is subject to the overwhelming dominance of Nature. From the acute sense of isolation and loss, to a calm awe in the face of sheer force. It´s fascinating how total helplessness, as in when swept by a monstrous wave, can produce a state of tranquility... a two-bit version of Zen.
Calmer than you are...
Its nice to see such a manifestation up close, sort of proves that man has not won it all in his rebellion against Nature. Yes, Science has been busily deshrouding many of those mysteries that one caused whole nations to bow in worship. Yet not even the world´s permier myth-buster will sarcastically turn his back to such a sight. Even he will stare at the glacier with that familiar 1st grader´s grin, and take part in the communal amazed gasp which we all seem to share.
Ironically enough, the unique shape of this ice-fortress reminds me of a military formation, as though the jagged edges are lined up for inspection. Or rather, blank-faced day-rats lined up for the subway doors. Yet upon closer look, one is reassured. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, nor are any of the jagged ice sculptures jutting up from the water. Then again, every person gets to choose his own shade of Brooks Brothers shirt suit and tie from that Western Man´s Today catalogue sent directly to a brain near you! through the various mediums. Man, has technology shortened the path to democratic hegemony, or what?!
Wait, you don´t want in? No problem chief...see those icy waters just waiting to swallow up those who refuse to get with the program, to/the advance? That is no gunshot you are hearing, just another jagged piece of glacier refusing to conform. Do glaciers know how to swim?
Yo G-Man.
ReplyDeleteYou are in a crazy place I see. I'm still in Boston.
Where are you going to now?
Let me know how your trip has been.
Have you been focusing your chi on those ancient glaciers?
Very zen.
-J Schlo