Double meaning.

Think twice.

In a recent passing, someone nonchalantly told me my style of writing is open to interpretation.

Is there a deeper meaning to all of this? Is there a fight to be fought? Is there a question of my opinion being wrong? Can an opinion be wrong? Or are these words strung together in a manner in which each person reading them will get what they need?

Isn't all writing open to interpretation?

Some would say no. But, I would say yes.

For example, there's state statutes and supreme court rulings all of which are open to interpretation. (Don't believe me, just ask a lawyer.)

But, there's other written works such as the Bible, Koran or Torah which many would argue are not open to interpretation because God's word is the bottom line.

But if this is so, why are there so many denominations of religions? Obviously, someone, somewhere interpreted something as different.

The word denomination not only pertains to various Christian subgroups but it also describes four branches of Judaism as well as two main branches of Islam and several sects of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Which one is right? Which ones are wrong?

Or are there so many religious denominations because of some double meaning in these books which left the interpretation up to each reader?

I could go on.

But, I'll stop here and instead hand this part over to you to figure out.

Anyway, back to this double meaning thing...

Art is what I equate with as being open to interpretation.

Philosophy, literature, music, photography, paintings, drawings, cinematography and poetry are all fine examples of being open to interpretation.

Just like beauty being found in the eye of the beholder.

Some like country music and some like jazz.

Some read Plato and Socrates while others prefer Sartre or Nietzsche.

There's William S. Burroughs and Charles Bukowski and Jane Austen and Emily Dickinson.

There's William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett.

There's da Vinci and Picasso.

There's Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, and Django Reinhardt.

There's pop culture and fads and timeless classics and masterpieces.

And every bit of it is open to interpretation.

Mine and yours.

For some, art imitates life while others argue that life imitates art.

And some say who cares.

But, then there's a portion of us who never even ponder such madness.

As for me, I say that if I am an artist then surely you must be one too.

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.