A Spanish Poet and His Donkey Changed My Life

Greg Twemlow explores the profound emotional depth of the prose-poem Platero and I, which depicts the quiet bond between a Spanish poet and his donkey. The author argues that this relationship illustrates a love based on attention and fidelity rather than possession or control. By following an arc from tenderness to death, the narrative reveals how sustained companionship creates a lasting ethical commitment to another living being. Twemlow draws a striking parallel between this century-old literature and John Lennon’s final song, "Now & Then," noting their shared resonance in addressing loss. Ultimately, the text invites readers to embrace a slower, more reverent way of seeing the world and those they love. Both works suggest that while life ends, a devoted connection simply changes address rather than fading away. Read the article.About the Author - Greg Twemlow writes and teaches at the intersection of technology, education, and human judgment. He works with educators and businesses to make AI explainable and assessable in classrooms and boardrooms — to ensure AI users show their process and own their decisions. His cognition protocol, the Context & Critique Rule™, is built on a three-step process: Evidence → Cognition → Discernment — a bridge from what’s scattered to what’s chosen. Context & Critique → Accountable AI™. © 2025 Greg Twemlow. “Context & Critique → Accountable AI” and “Context & Critique Rule” are unregistered trademarks (™).