A Spy in the House of Love

Last night in my sleep, I dreamt that my friends and I were playing a clever game of practical jokes, a sort of humorous “Spy vs. Spy.”  The object of the game was to break in to each other’s homes or apartments and to re-arrange everything.  So with as much stealth as possible, while another person was at work or away from home, we would sneak into their home and do all manner of mildly destructive mayhem – move furniture, TP rooms, re-order books on the shelves, empty the pantry, hide items, remove an item or two, and similar annoyances.

In the dream, I entered a friend’s home with my bag of tricks - only to be distracted by a beautiful painting on the wall.  Then I noticed a book I’d never read.  I admired the custom made lighting in the library.  I sat in the attunely decorated and arranged living room, and I realized I could not undo what my friend had so brilliantly designed.  I did not want to undo all the amazing coordination and selections of art, decor, and thoughtful environment.  So I stayed for a few minutes longer to take in the ambience of the artistry, colors, furniture choices, textures, balances, and distinctions.  Then I picked up my bag of mischief, and quietly walked out of the room – careful to leave it’s accoutrement undisturbed.

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When I awoke, I recalled two things.  First, I remembered reading about Anaïs Nin’s 1954 novel “A Spy in the House of Love” in the biography I am reading.  The book explores a journey into the mind of Sabina, a woman who some feel is a representation of June Miller (Henry Miller’s wife, and a character in the Philip Kaufman movie about Anaïs Nin and her world titled “Henry & June” - Philip Kaufman also wrote the story for ”Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and he directed “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” and “Quills”).  Others believe Sabina is a representation of Anaïs herself.  She is most likely a fictional composite.  I have not yet read the book.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Spy_in_the_House_of_Love

June Miller:

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The other reference that came to mind was a song from my past.  In 1989, former The Police drummer Stewart Copeland, jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, and singer-songwriter Deborah Holland formed a band called “Animal Logic.” 

“There’s a Spy (in the House of Love)” lyrics by Animal Logic:

There’s a spy
In the house of love
And he knows what I’m thinking of
He’s making friends in places high above
In the house of love
In the house of love

I had dreams
They were laid to waste
I lost the time
And I lost the taste
I need him now
To meet me face to face
In the house of love
In the house of love

Someday I’ll find out who it is
And when I do, he’ll probably go
And the message can only be his
Whatever it says, I need to know

There’s a spy
He’s in every room
Has no name
Only a nom de plume
It’s hard to rise
Above the sense of doom
In the house of love
In the house of love

Someday I’ll find out who it is
And when I do, he’ll probably go
And the message can only be his
Whatever it says, I need to know

He’s got a reason
That he’s following me
And while we’re on this crazy ride
Can’t take the answer, “It was meant to be”
Maybe that’s why he’s still at my side
In the house of love

Until I’m sure
What I’m thinking of
And when I do
Some angel up above
We’ll come on home
To the house of love

Someday I’ll find out who it is
And when I do, he’ll probably go
Cuz’ the message can only be his
Whatever it says, I need to know

There’s a spy
In the house of love
In the house of love
In the house of love
In the house of love
There’s a spy
In the house of love

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The song can be heard here:

http://www.myspace.com/animallogicband

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Logic_(band)

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