The gift of indifference, most precious gift and yet so easy to give. You give it to every stranger you pass in the street: they need care nothing for you. If you're mown down by a bus they may call an ambulance, but short of that you have granted them the inestimable privilege of caring nothing whether you live or die. What a liberation! What gratitude they should owe you if that didn't break the terms of your mutual indifference pact!
As Szymborska writes, in 'Thank-You Note':
I owe so much
to those I don't love.
The relief as I agree
that someone else needs them more.
The happiness that I'm not
the wolf to their sheep.
The peace I feel with them
the freedom -
love can neither give
nor take that.
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