FOR LITTLE PRINCE LOVERS

"You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

—The Little Prince (In the exquisite translation of Selim İleri)

For many years, this quote was the very definition of love in my heart.

When the Fox, upon meeting the Little Prince, taught him that "taming" meant forming bonds, and when, after their beautiful bond of friendship, the time came to say goodbye, this life lesson left an indelible mark on my heart.

Whenever I loved someone—whether they were physically present in my life or not—I always felt that responsibility. It was as if, by doing so, I never truly lost those I loved.

No matter where I went, the crowd within me was enough to keep me from feeling lonely on the outside.

I shone with the ones I loved, I flourished as I loved.

But sometimes, this sentence became a burden on my heart.

To carry the responsibility of a bond I could not sever, even after someone walked away saying, "I do not love you," or after another left because they couldn’t bear the burden of love—it was heavy. So very heavy.

The responsibility of the bond you weave for those who seek an official stamp on the contract of love is heavy. So very heavy.

When those you love leave you, not being able to lose them may be even heavier than losing them itself.

I cannot compare.

I do not know, for I have always carried those I loved in my heart.

Such a responsible individual, indeed…

I do not know—perhaps, if certain wheat fields had not reminded the Fox of the golden hair of the Little Prince, would he have lived happier?

I do not know—was love a rock you should never have placed your hand under?

Or was love the very rock under which I hid myself from people for years?

How does a heart’s bond break?

When we are all connected,when we are all within each other,when we are all ONE—how does a heart’s bond break?

Does it break when you tell the one you once loved, "I don’t love you anymore"?

Does it simply snap when you refuse to take responsibility for it?

But didn’t love come with that wild force that made you take responsibility for the bonds you formed—forever?

And love, for which you took no responsibility—had it ever truly existed?

This world is so contrary to my nature, which is wired to love, that I am left alone with my unanswered questions. After all this time…

I still do not understand.

I do not understand.

With LOVE,

A Small Note: To all the foxes and little princes out there…

Love will save the world. Let’s take responsibility for it and keep loving, shall we?

Selin BİNAY