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