“You get to a point
To make it disappear
And you’re always believing
And believing in fear”

Sonic Youth, Marilyn Moore (Evol, 1986)

In Robert Macfarlane’s book Landmarks, each chapter has a glossary of different British words related to the natural environment.  The glossary for coastlands has the interesting Gaelic (Gàidhlig) word combarran:

Combarran   twin markings on land used to give an offshore boat its location

All of us have marking points in life which are our touchstones, anchors to what makes us the people who we are.  These may well change through life as we age and grow, and some will remain constant.  No one has the same touchstones as anyone else, although we may meet individuals whose bearings are similar, and these people often become friends, companions and lovers. 

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