"Fish for silence." , by Erik Pevernagie, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm

When the ashes of the wildfire of love have been scattered in the hazy den of oblivion and emotions have gone out of commission, life gets unremittingly tangled up if no inner voices emerge to enlighten the looming shadows of hesitant expectations if no shimmer sparks the magic appeal of ‘Being in the world.’

Expectations are at war if good feeling and discomfort clash. When we are expecting zest and joy, our good karma may be ousted by distress and frustration, if negative, downbeat waves are emitted. Just with a feel of realism, without prejudice, should we step into the future. What will be, will be. Only the fortune of war will tell, since life may be war or peace.

Some have given up the expectation of meeting genuine, ‘heartfelt’ people and prefer to retire to a mute world, where fish, at least, give a feeling of recognition. In the wake of the unbearable sterile daily noise, their life has turned into a fluid universe of silence, dream, and stillness and their compass has come to be space beyond fear, deception, and betrayal. Fish never disappoints.

If we don’t live in the same vibe, it is hard to be aware of each other. When our reading differs from our neighbors’ reality, our surroundings may take a range of discordant shades, and daily episodes become unrecognizable. But if we endeavor to find out, the “who is who,” the “what is what” and the “where is Waldo,” we might demonstrate our social literacy and connectedness.

Phenomenon: Expectations, karma, fortune, silence, awareness

Factual starting point: Character with fish