Heart to Heart
Amaris posted a lovely poem by Adelaide Ann Proctor in her blog. You can find it here.
The poem, aside from its aesthetic virtues and endearing sentiments, set my brain’s cogs a spinning. Is there a difference between a gentleman’s heart and a lady’s heart?
I’ve already mentioned that I’ve surmised there is not.
Scientists have already told us there are significant differences between the male and female brain. They’ve poked and prodded, filmed, measured, weighed, tested and delved into these brains of ours and have found, literally, hundreds of physical, chemical and data processing differences. From that first burst of androgens in the womb, our brains betray our gender. So be it.
It’s not just the differences in the organs themselves. That’s just the beginning. From our first awakening, we are taught to play our respective roles. We are educated in the ways of little boys or little girls. These lessons are burned deep into our cerebral cortex and cerebellum. We are shoehorned into patterns of behavior, modes of expression, taught the rules, and punished in myriad ways for venturing too far towards the manners and ways of the opposite sex. We are different to begin with, and we are taught to behave, and think, ever more distinctly. Men aren’t from Mars, or women from Venus…but we are thrust into opposing orbits. It’s so hard to communicate across the void of the resulting space.
But what about the heart?
Oh, I know that hearts differ in their size. Some are almost infinite, others quite constrained. There being no science to lead me to think otherwise, I contend the human heart remains ungendered, ever pure and ever trying.
These human hearts of ours beat fiercely. Be it male or female, it beats the same. The heart’s yearnings, passions and hopes bridge that space between a man and a woman. Our hearts speak freely to each other…but our brains find it difficult to maintain the conversation. Oh, these hearts of ours! So earnest and honest and pure! They love whom they choose and they love freely. The human heart is single-purposed...it’s made to hold its beloved close. Ladies and gentlemen, we love and hurt the same.
It’s those damnable brains of ours that sow all the confusion. And these dear and fragile hearts of ours? They reap the consequences.
The poem, aside from its aesthetic virtues and endearing sentiments, set my brain’s cogs a spinning. Is there a difference between a gentleman’s heart and a lady’s heart?
I’ve already mentioned that I’ve surmised there is not.
Scientists have already told us there are significant differences between the male and female brain. They’ve poked and prodded, filmed, measured, weighed, tested and delved into these brains of ours and have found, literally, hundreds of physical, chemical and data processing differences. From that first burst of androgens in the womb, our brains betray our gender. So be it.
It’s not just the differences in the organs themselves. That’s just the beginning. From our first awakening, we are taught to play our respective roles. We are educated in the ways of little boys or little girls. These lessons are burned deep into our cerebral cortex and cerebellum. We are shoehorned into patterns of behavior, modes of expression, taught the rules, and punished in myriad ways for venturing too far towards the manners and ways of the opposite sex. We are different to begin with, and we are taught to behave, and think, ever more distinctly. Men aren’t from Mars, or women from Venus…but we are thrust into opposing orbits. It’s so hard to communicate across the void of the resulting space.But what about the heart?
Oh, I know that hearts differ in their size. Some are almost infinite, others quite constrained. There being no science to lead me to think otherwise, I contend the human heart remains ungendered, ever pure and ever trying.
These human hearts of ours beat fiercely. Be it male or female, it beats the same. The heart’s yearnings, passions and hopes bridge that space between a man and a woman. Our hearts speak freely to each other…but our brains find it difficult to maintain the conversation. Oh, these hearts of ours! So earnest and honest and pure! They love whom they choose and they love freely. The human heart is single-purposed...it’s made to hold its beloved close. Ladies and gentlemen, we love and hurt the same.
It’s those damnable brains of ours that sow all the confusion. And these dear and fragile hearts of ours? They reap the consequences.
* * *
posted by Jonas | 11/02/2006 08:10:00 PM
2 Comments:
This is sort of a random note, but if you haven't already, check out John Mayer's newest album. I think you'll find at least a handful of relatable tunes.
As far as this topic goes, I tend to think that most of what we attribute to the heart is in our heads. So literature/love/etc.'s "heart" is something like the romanticized side of the brain.
So I'm not sure if that leaves me agreeing or disagreeing with you. No matter either way.
Thanks for the recommendation, Reb. I'm still not capable of listening to music, but...when I resume...I'll give all these tips a listen. I trust your judgment, I really do...(you can't go wrong with suggestions from kindred spirits).
By the way...I like John Mayer. I saw him at the House of Blues. He really is a fine guitarist (not as adept as Eric Johnson or Phil Keaggy...but, the boy can play!
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