WALLS.

YEAH WE’RE HERE.

WE’RE ACTUALLY HERE.

But what makes this here different than that here?

Geography. History. Landscape.

Landscape is SO much more than scenery.

Previous to embarking on this trip, my advisor described the walls of Armagh. She raised her hands in gesture during her recollection. The vivid retelling lead me to expect prison walls, fashioning a giant maze through the city. I searched for them and constantly wondered “Could those be the walls she was talking about?” My quest for massive gray partitions was exhausted, and then, my understanding stretched.

THEN I SAW THEM. THEY WERE EVERYWHERE.
Armagh proposed something different.

Even in the architecture of the homes, dividers were created. Fences were walls. Streets, lined with three story structures protected those below. The people were walls. Created walls. Eyes averted. Words hidden. Glances. Glares. Protecting something I didn’t realize was in danger. The unfamiliar. I spent three days in Dublin prior to this journey and the energies of the places contrast substantially.

I was compelled to look up the definition:

wall
(noun)
1. a. a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense
b. a masonry fence around a garden, park, or estate
c. a structure that serves to hold back pressure
2. one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof; support
3. the side of a footpath next to buildings
4. an extreme or desperate position or a state of defeat, failure, or ruin
5. a material layer enclosing space
6. something resembling a wall; esp. something that acts as a barrier or defense

(transitive verb)

1. a. to provide, cover with, or surround with
b. to separate by or or as if by a wall
2. a. immure (imprison)
b. to close (an opening)

Origin: Middle English from Old English “weall;” akin to Middle High German “wall;” both from Latin vallum rampart, from “vallus” stake, pulisade; perhaps akin to Old Norse vǫlr staff- more at wale

What resonated with me was the 5th definition; “a material layer enclosing space”

Like cell walls or heart walls, which are walls everyone has.

Also, the 2nd definition; “one of the sides of a room… support.”

The term “support” indicates a plurality or unity necessary to work toward a common cause. It’s interesting how “wall” notates separation and integration simultaneously. This is further linked to the original spelling of “wall”- “weall.” Which struck me as significant.