culture18

Larsåke W Persson is the author of Truths and Hide-Outs (1), a book in Swedish on the balance between reality and repression. "Truth will make free"; yes, but truth may also crush. The books of Job and Jonah (2) are devoted to the acute existential crisis. The helical structure of crisis, work-through, and re-orientation is described in a peak poem of Hebrew literature (Jonah 2:1-9) Fragments follow of an imagined dialogue between Jonah and BN in kingdom come.

Jonah, I believe that drowning, or nearly drowning, is a model of crisis. Your experience is archetypical with an intense fight for life, and then, after the physical perils, a psychological reaction.

In the 1980´ies, I saw the same process in slow motion in patients with acute leukemia. They were brave and taciturn during the first year of treatment. Health regained, they had a deep reactive depression during the second year. In their third year, both health and mood recovered; sadly, relapse into leukemia also often occurred during that year.

A farmer had gone through the ice of Torne river and shouted for help. "Shut up, and drown like a man", his neighbor on the shore told him.

A famous cardiologist with roots in the Torne vale told me the story; but he did not reveal the ending, for better or worse – so we are free to make our own analysis.

From an objective point of view, the neighbor was right. It is a mere folly to loose two lives instead of one. The neighbor was a model of professional distance for doctors. Never drown yourself in the misery of your patients! There are more constructive ways of serving neighbor and God than committing suicide.

Furthermore, I think that silence fell over the gap in the ice – no panic shouting any more. After all, it is some to be said for drowning with dignity. You are one splendid example of existential courage, Jonah.

No, Jonah, I did not say that the Torne farmer drowned. You, a cosmopolite with manners, would never be as frank as the neighbor on the shore. But even in the Torne valley, it would be tactless to report such an advice (cf 3,4). My guess is that the farmer in the water calmed down, remembered his sheath-knife, took a deep breath, heaved himself onto the ice, and crawled landwards. "Truth will set free".

A toast to the Wisdom of God! The orchestra appears to approach a waltz. I will go and and grab a nurse angel for a dance.