This cat lurks around our house. It does not belong to anyone but it is around us all. It prowls behind the mound of earth at the back of our yard towards the dark woods, watching and waiting. Sometimes it bravely looks into our house, past the large window and then into our home, watching and waiting. At other times we watch it and wait, hoping it does not notice us so that we can see what it does when unseen.
I take photographs of the cat on cold wintry days, like this one above, as its paws sink deep into the snow. At other times it hides, recording our movements behind its own lens, storing information about us when we no longer see it camouflaged against the dark earth or shielded by tall trees, its prints silently disappearing under new snow.
However, there is a deeper more sinister side to how we are seen when democracy is challenged, when those who have always existed are given free rein to say and do what they have always wanted to. Then we continue to be the targets.
Arundhati Roy has often spoken of the licence that the powerful give to each other to commit unspeakable acts whilst world leaders of other nations look on and learn. For the most part their silence is palpable until their own powers are upended, usurped or removed by those they have tried to dominate.
Maya Angelou, as always, reminds us that;
“We have no idea of the power we have in our very being … because all of us are caged birds … caged by somebody else’s ignorance, caged because of someone else’s small mindedness, caged because of someone else’s fear, and sometimes caged by our own lack of courage … and when we have enough courage to stand up and be aware of the power we have in our very being, you have no idea who’s watching you … you have no idea.”
(taken from the speech Dr Angelou made at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner in 1998) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BybZZM881Tw
This January, as the world continues to rage, and as I try to find moments of solace and peace within this unbearable storm, I look to those who use their words, their actions and their intelligence to bring us all along into a different place. These are also courageous people. Individuals who have given their lives for us. And those who continue to create in all forms of art and science. Those who work in schools and colleges. Those who labour in factories and on farms. Those working in hospitals and care homes. Those who, only a few years ago, we remembered daily during the Covid-19 pandemic and who carried us in their arms. Those who spur me to write these words and post them to you today.
I see you.
Who are you watching?
Patricia Angoy 
I had to pause for a moment to think about all of this! Cats, caged birds, Maya Angelou and voice and voicelessness! We all have a voice, and it is more powerful than we all think. The fact that, this cat could also camouflage and ‘record’ some of your information like you did—basically you both watch each other—is intriguing! “Silence is palpable until their own powers are upended, usurped or removed by those they have tried to dominate” and out of the sudden the ones who were considered ‘unseen, caged’ have eyes and are free! and there are people who are working hard to ensure others remain blind and unfree!
Your writing just makes me think so hard! Yes, that is the power of your writing Patricia! I see you! You see me! We see the World! And the World sees us—At least nature does!
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Francisco, you see into my writing what I often miss. This is the power and beauty of putting my writing out there! It is, you, the reader that makes it worth it. Yes, we are all out there, breaking free from ourselves! Thanks you.
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Dear Patricia, always a pleasure reading your blogs and the perspective you write from. Thank you for keeping our minds open to stretching our thoughts.
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… and you, as the reader stretch me too. Thanks Celiwe, always.
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…and my sincere thanks for not only reading the blog but sharing your comments with us all.
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