22 September

Born in 1891 – Alma Thomas, American artist.

Above: The Eclipse, 1970.

Also, born in 1957, Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave.

To pay witness to another, in an alert and loving manner, is essentially an act of forgiveness for it is to acknowledge with compassion our mutual human capacity for all things, both good and evil.

When we reduce each other to symbols or representations, rather than see each other as the complex, flawed human beings that we are, we engage in the very antithesis of mercy — heartlessness, condemnation and sanctimoniousness. Within this baleful clamour the luminous spirits of compassion retreat.

I am beside you. Look for me — call the windswept voices of love, to all that have the forbearance to hear.