It is a new rage here in Malta.
People in love, buy locks put their names or initials and paddock them
to structures. Perhaps, in an age of
transitory relationships such locks symbolise a statement of solidity. Tattoos are a more visual demonstration of
affection and harder to eradicate than marriage in some ways. How many Daves have tattooed ‘I love Mary’ on
their chest only to find years later, they cannot stand Mary and would laser
her off the planet as they do their unwanted tattoo. As, I wander around the rusting love tokens in
Malta it is plausible that some would now, with the benefit of hindsight, like
to take a chainsaw to remove all evidence of their past liaison. However, there is something sweet about the
desire to so visibly proclaim ones love.
It is after all a beautiful spot to visit.
How better to cement a romantic walk than with a lock and physical statement of
your closeness.
Once you return home from holiday you will be able to imagine your
token here forever. Rusted but strong
despite the elements.
While rain pours down in northern climes you can picture your lock
on the beautiful coastline beside a statue proclaiming LOVE in capitals. What is more appropriate?
The desire has spread along the coast to one of the loveliest places
with a clear view of the medieval city Valetta across the harbour. In fact, what began as an innocent declaration
of love has now become more like a plague.
Official signs warn that such tokens will be removed if they are
placed on the sides. All to no avail. Lovers fear no such restrictions. Having bought their lock in suitably thick
metal they search for a noble location to claim. Buying a small lock obviously denotes
meanness or a lack of devotion, so the right love token is critical. Some proclaim full names of both parties, as
if in a wedding certificate, other prefer initials, keeping things semi-secret
but also half proclaimed.
In this copycat world once a trend is begun it develops a life of
its own. Officialdom has learned to play
a cautious game.
Too 'Big Brother' in tone
creates a reaction that is worse than the first gambit. Better by far to accommodate the madness and
let it blow it’s self out. Already,
placing a lock amidst the hundreds of others has begun to appear just a little
pointless.
Are the couple not just one
of many, all with the same dumb idea?
Another depressing thought is how many times have one or more of the
partners already placed a lock with an alternative named partner? Isn’t a lock much cheaper than a bunch of
flowers, meal out or even a card? Then, there is the worrying notion that a ball and chain have long been associated
with an unhappy pairing. Locks and
chains have long been bedfellows, who knows what inner symbolism is being
conveyed? It is frightening to confirm the practice is worldwide and spreading
faster than an infectious disease.
Prague
Poland
Germany
Sigh....I will say no more!
