The word “body” evokes different meanings, including the nave of a church, the content of a book, and the main section of an aircraft; for the most part, however, when we think of the body our thoughts center on the physical structure of an organism, the embodiment of bones, flesh, and organs.
That said, our bodies serve as a carryall, take us where we need to go. But what of the soul? Is the soul a part of the carryall? Do our bodies house our immortal essence, the intangibles capable of grief, joy, love, the invisible source of who we really are?
Looking back, I was raised in a time that placed undue importance on physical appearance, especially for girls and women. This cultural, parental, and familial influence affected my early development and direction in life. Now, my attention orbits around the meaning of existence and the spiritual aspects of being. The following quote by French philosopher, paleontologist, and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin mirrors my view on the subject: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Whatever your focus, the body or the soul, we are each unique creations in the collective of humanity, a carryall of corporeal stuff in concert with incorporeal mystery.
This quarter, we received many outstanding pieces for our theme of “Body & Soul,” poignant, evocative, and thought-provoking work on death, aging, illness, appearance, and transformation both physically and spiritually. We hope you enjoy reading all of the wonderful offerings in this issue.
We invite you to submit your work to our December issue, themed “Winter,” and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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Jeannie E. Roberts is a poetry editor at Halfway Down the Stairs.
© 2023, Jeannie E. Roberts
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