I like a look of Agony,
Because I know it's true —
Men do not sham Convulsion,
Nor simulate, a Throe —
The Eyes glaze once — and that is Death —
Impossible to feign
The Beads upon the Forehead
By homely Anguish strung.
Because I know it's true —
Men do not sham Convulsion,
Nor simulate, a Throe —
The Eyes glaze once — and that is Death —
Impossible to feign
The Beads upon the Forehead
By homely Anguish strung.
~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
I like a look of Agony,
ReplyDeleteBecause I know it's true
Since Emily Dickinson's day, we shuffle of the terminally ill to a facility so that we don't have to see Death. Fears of mortality have, in the 20th Century on, resulted in allowing the dying the very important final comforts of fellowship? I think so.
I wonder....Was anyone with Emily when she crossed the bar?
Read The American Way of Death by Jessica Mitford and How We Die by Sherwin Nuland. Important information for those of us who want to help our friends and family cross the bar.
ReplyDeleteDo you believe in synchronicity, FT? Yesterday I listened to an interview with a woman who mothered her son from birth to death. His diagnosis was Tay Sachs, and he died at three years. She brought up many questions about God, an afterlife, and the purpose, or lack thereof, of pain. She sees things much differently than I do, but heartbreak is universal.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jen,
ReplyDeleteOnce again, our friend Emily expresses what I tend to feel better than I could hope to do, myself. Perhaps the following would help you and others to bring a more helpful focus to the distressing challenges we all must face sooner or later:
While we were fearing it, it came ––
But came with less of fear
Because that fearing it so long
Had almost made it fair ––
There is a Fitting –– a Dismay ––
A Fitting –– a Despair ––
'Tis harder knowing it is Due
Than knowing it is Here.
The Trying on the Utmost
The Morning it is new
Is Terribler than wearing it
A whole existence through.
~ Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
For the record I do not know whether we face life in the hereafter, or whether we simply return to the cosmic dust from which all of us originated, but I truly believe our lives are apt to be much brighter, wiser, kinder, happier and more productive, if act as if we are certain that Immortality awaits us the quality of which is determined by how well we devote our lives to Love, Truth, and Principle informed by Intelligence, Spirit, and the ongoing development and refinement of Character.
That is the long way of saying devotion to God, because I have come to understand that God (Life!) is Spirit (Essence) and the perfect embodiment and personification of Love, Truth, Principle, Intelligence, Creativity, and Soul (Character).
None of this means anything unless put into practice in every minute transaction of our daily lives.
The primary reason those of us who have faith distrust and find leftist ideologies rooted in collectivism abhorrent is the left's utter dependence on materialism and the resultant rejection of individual salvation through increasing intimacy with the Holy Ghost.
I believe that Jesus Christ came to show us the way to avoid being mired in the barbaric, legalistic morass demanding violent retribution for the faults perceived in others the ancient Jews created out of fear, superstition a deep misunderstanding of God's true nature as the personification of Love, which is synonymous with Life, itself.
Many books have already been written on these themes. Our curent crises stem, I believe, from our vain attempts to substitute human Ingenuity and advancing scientific Knowledge FOR the Source of all Inspiration and Knowledge which is God, Himself.
Amazing insights you have, FT. I benefit quite a lot from visiting your blog. Don't be discouraged if others don't seem to get it. Just keep on sharing the truths you came to understand through experience. Standing up for what you believe is always worthwhile; Thanks for this unique blog. It's encouraging to anybody who has good will, or should be if it isn't.
ReplyDeleteHelen Highwater
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAmong the many non-delights
ReplyDeleteFound in the blogosphere
The intellectual termites
Are certainly most queer.
The time they spend is worthless
In seeding comments sections
WIth waspish, witless, mirthless
Phrases filled with misconceptions!
What that font called?
ReplyDeletebtw - Ducky, please return all the art to the Gardner. 23 years is enough. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThey just want their stuff back... no questions asked.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHelen's comment is spot on!
ReplyDelete