knots
by R.D. Laing
Pantheon Books, NY
1970
This is a book of "poems" or patterns which capture the contingency and self-referentiality of human interaction, especially that which becomes more intimate. In one way they are very depressing. In still another they are very enlightening and , therefore, liberating. Hence we can begin to see their complexity.
Here is the first Poem:
They are playing a game.
They are playing at not playing a game.
If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me.
I must play their game, of not seeing I see the game.