Leaning in Liverpool - Day Three - 'Be happy even if you are in the war'

I begin at the end.  The single most expressive and emotional statement I encountered today was in response to a request from the Museum of Liverpool to write messages to deceased loved ones.  One child wrote, 'Be happy even if you are in the war'.  This simple statement has resonated with me all day.  It is an altruistic expression of love, akin to a hug from a loved one.  I hope that s/he will retain that purity as they grow to face the horrors and uncertainties of adulthood.  True strength lies in empathy and compassion.

So yes, as you may have guessed, today has been quite a reflective day.  I attended the Museum of Liverpool, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum and the World Museum.  They all offered something different.  The Museum of Liverpool was simply wonderful.  A comprehensive overview of Liverpool as a living, breathing, industrial city, vibrating culture and humanity from every orifice.  They can be forgiven The Beatles as Alan Bleasdale and Ken Russell also came from Liverpool.

Lots of bizarre things happened today.  I refer to them as 'unifiers'.  Moments where I acknowledge the links between my interests, feelings and ideas.  I kept seeing masks in various contexts.  Tribal masks in particular, with their associated symbolic meaning and magical intent.  Also I was reminded of 'Polari'.  The so-called secret slang that was so dominant in the gay scene decades ago.  Many of the words still being used today in everyday parlance such as 'Bevvi' for drink.  I mention this in passing as I also chucked a small amount of money at a busker murdering 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'.  Music has a way of connecting both people and sentiments.

I love Liverpool, the laid-back yet brutally honest demeanours of many of the people I met or passed.  I found myself listening to random conversations.  Same as everywhere but the aggression wasn't there.

Returning to London was a culture shock, people hiding behind their devices, electronic and intellectual.  Emotionless drones until provoked where upon they will tear you to bits.  Not everyone of course, but the sense of paranoia in London is so much more pervasive than in Liverpool.

I didn't find myself in Liverpool, but I did learn more about the people I know and one thing is for sure, any future changes will not come about in London.  Time to keep exploring...

Barry Watt - Wednesday 25th June 2014.

Afterword

'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' is by The Smiths.  It originally appeared on 'The Queen is Dead'.  One of the most important and influential albums of all time.  Originally released by Rough Trade in 1986.  Currently, available on CD on the WEA label.

                                                                                                                                      BW

Photos

Museum of Liverpool.

Museum of Liverpool.

One of many of the rather wonderful Bananalamas that were created to celebrate Liverpool being chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Locust in the World Museum.

Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Outside the Central Library Liverpool.

Seagull contemplating which way to go.

                                                                            BW