"The unexamined life is not worth living" Socrates

- - scatterings of ideas sent to my younger self, a sensitive girl who was fooled into believing she was a boy because of anatomy - -

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Not a Rock... Nor an Island

The solstice is past and we in the northern hemisphere, especially the northern part of that hemisphere, are looking forward to the lengthening of the daytime, and the corresponding feelings of hope that brings. 
This past year, the universe has for some reason decided it is time to illuminate me from within, and I am basking in that glow. Yet I can't help myself; I am a true Canadian after all, and this time of outer darkness reminds me of other times and feelings. 

Simon and Garfunkel's music became an almost constant companion when I started university. One song became my unofficial theme as I tried to cope with what I thought mattered to the world. 
My song was I Am a Rock  by Paul Simon. 


A winter’s day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow
I am a rock
I am an island

I’ve built walls
A fortress, steep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain.
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain.
I am a rock
I am an island

Don’t talk of love
Well, I’ve heard the words before
It’s sleeping in my memory
And I won’t disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved, I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
Safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me

I am a rock
I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries

There are so many people who have proven how wrong I was then, but I cannot blame them for not being able to find me or break through my rock hard surface back then.

The song below reflects better than most how I have been and am being treated. Most of all, it is how I want to relate to the world now.  

May 2016 be everything your heart desires


When you run out of things to say, 
And there’s clouds in your mind, 
Everything falls away and you’re wasting all your time. 
People can be so cruel girl (and pretend that they care).
We can always fix your world,
‘Cause you know I’ll be there.
You should know you’re always on my mind.

When the rain it keeps coming down
And it’s washing away your smile,
Runnin’ around your town, trying to hide out for a while,
Everywhere you look you’ll see only shadows and pain.
You can always lean on me; get you moving again. 
You should know you’re always on my mind.

When you feel you can’t walk one more mile, 
You just need a friend to walk you down the road a while. 

When you run out of things to say, 
And there’s clouds in your mind, 
Everyone falls away, they were wasting all your time. 
People can be so cruel.
… People can be so cruel.
Everything that happens now will fade away with time. 

You should know you’re always on my mind. 

No Man is an Island

No man is an island entire of itself; every man 
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; 
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe 
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as 
well as any manor of thy friends or of thine 
own were; any man's death diminishes me, 
because I am involved in mankind. 
And therefore never send to know for whom 
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne

2 comments:

  1. I am a Rock was one of my anthems but I had long forgotten to really listen to those so appropriate words...

    The new tune reads so true too. Everything that happens now will fade away with time.

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    Replies
    1. When I first thought of Paul Simon's song, it was only the third verse that came to mind. Looking at the rest, It was astounding how appropriate the whole thing was.
      The best part of the new tune for me: You should know you're always on my mind

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