On Being Alone: An Excerpt from "Beautyland" by Marie-Helene Bertino

"Alone. To be told she is not alone denies what she knows. Alone is not the bad news, alone is reliable, alone has been loyal to her like a boyfriend. The bad news is platitudes. Having the basest understanding of your situation. At a vulnerable time, “you are not alone” is meant for the person saying it. It is the opposite of sympathy. “Not true you snobby cow” the greeting cards insist! You are connected to others by thought. Everyone cares though - they don’t call, write, follow up, or say it. You are not alone, metaphorically. Adina argues, what a human in a dark room who has lost the ability to see themselves or others does not need, is another metaphor. More effective would be to say, if you feel alone you are. I’m sorry I cannot join you in that dark space, but I won’t offend you with a metaphor."

Cover of "Beautyland" by Marie-Helene Bertino