by Ali Hammad

LETTER: TO THE ONE WHO REVELS IN NAMES

Dear Name Chameleon,

Here’s a question: To what purpose your myriad names—names that fuel feuds, battles, and wars; each name a group identity; each group suspicious of other groups; names that breed fear, paranoia, mistrust, anger, hatred?

Second question: Where exactly do you live? Some have assigned you various homes on the planet Earth. Others say you live in the heavens, above the Seventh Heaven, or something. That is much too far. I don’t know where to send this letter. I guess I will just leave as an open letter on the web.

Sincerely,

Just-a-person

REPLY: TO THE ONE WHO DWELLS ON NAMES

Dear Just-a-person,

I am nameless. You’re the one who has given me all those names. They can serve a purpose, but only if used wisely. In order to find something, one may need to be able to name it first. My names can be a path to me, but don’t misuse them.

You ask where to send your letter. How about your own street address? Your own personal mailbox? I live within you, as do all the heavens. Delve into yourself and find me. Come. I am waiting.

Sincerely,

One-who-doesn’t-need-a-name