

Living as a Letter
Preface
Human consciousness has always sought new forms of self-expression and understanding of the world around us. Sometimes these searches lead to unexpected associations and philosophical reflections. What if a person ceases to be merely a biological entity and becomes a symbol—a literal element of the language we use for communication? This metaphor turns out to be much deeper than it seems at first glance.
In this text, I explore the idea of a person as a letter—a symbol of self-expression, interaction with the world, and the search for one's unique role. Philosophy and psychology intertwine here to show how form and content are inseparably connected not only in language but also in human life.
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In the world of symbols and forms, humans have always sought to find themselves not only through language and words but also through visual images. But what if a person becomes a letter? How might this affect our perception of our own "self" and its manifestations in the external world?
A letter is a sign, a form that carries meaning. Each of us, as a person, is also a kind of symbol for those around us. Our gestures, facial expressions, manner of speaking, and even silence form a kind of text that others read. When I think of a person as a letter, I imagine something more than just a body resembling a symbol of the alphabet. It is a metaphor for trying to fit into a given system of coordinates, to become part of the general text of life.
From a philosophical perspective, turning a person into a letter is a search for meaning through form. A letter does not exist on its own; its significance is revealed only in the context of words and sentences. Similarly, a person finds meaning through interaction with others. But what is the nature of this form? Should we adapt to external expectations by adopting "fonts" that are convenient for others? Or does each of us have the right to be a unique, inconvenient, whimsical letter that disrupts the usual order?
From a psychological perspective, the idea of a person as a letter reflects questions of self-identity and adaptation. Society often dictates what "symbols" we should be. These expectations concern not only appearance but also the roles we play: professionals, parents, friends. In the pursuit of meeting these expectations, we sometimes lose our original form, becoming merely a convenient detail of the general text. But it is essential to remember that every letter, even the most whimsical one, has its place and meaning.
Moreover, the form of a letter implies movement and transformation. Letters can be strict and straight, like a classic font, or smooth and flexible, like handwritten lines. Similarly, a person changes, seeking new forms of expressing their "self." In this process, it is important not to lose one's essence, as the meaning of a letter remains unchanged even if its form changes.
A person as a letter is a challenge to standards and a reminder that each of us has a unique form and meaning. We are not merely symbols inscribed in someone else's text; we are the creators of our own narrative. And perhaps the most important thing is to learn to appreciate our unique form and allow it to interact with the world as intended by our inner nature.
© 2025 Victoria Lunar. All rights reserved.
A quiet bus serene and filled
with slow sounds of rain and slight chatter
music playing in your headphones
and the path of trees flying by
the bus is quite smooth today
we pass the next stop with a group of six girls,
the serene peaceful still and faint sounds
Burst into a loud corruption
Of chatter and gossip
The max volume of your headphones
cannot silent the girls
Your stuck like this until you arrive to your destination.
Get lost
You speak of being offended by toxic positivity as you sit there in your Carhartt beanie choking down a chai latte.
As if you knew the impact of a “you should smile more.” Or “it can’t be that bad, cheer up!”
when you’ve just had your lip split open by a baseball bat. You never had blood gushing from your brow on the wet pavement or the world reject you. You have never known the courage it takes to stand up and start again with nothing but your integrity.
The worst thing that has ever happened to you was not getting exactly what you wanted from a phone call to mommy.
So yeah, fuck you and your entire facade. Trying to coin sympathy from a phrase that you could never possibly understand.
White on White: Kazimir Malevich, 1918
We pick up
the pieces
and put them back
together washed
and squared
and its
never
what it
was
but
who's
to say
that what
was
was
worth
keeping
anyway?
and the what
that remains ajar
the paste, polishes and paints
a more accurate picture
in the frames
of Yesterday...
The canvas's never blank
but is always man made
and she stands before Michaelangelo
where neither can speak
because the point of reference
divides
the two and the three
a spectrum of light
beamed
in excavation
between fossil and bone
the mind and the body
parting like foam
in the mouth
where life is
escaping
the blast...
white on white
05.16.2023
Suprematist Composition: White on White
Kazimir Malevich 1918
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/80385
Imitating Art challenge @TheWolfeDen