SUNDAY WISDOM
Death is always, under all circumstances, a tragedy, for if it is not then it means that life has become one.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Death is always, under all circumstances, a tragedy, for if it is not then it means that life has become one.
- Theodore Roosevelt
November 1st, 2009 at 7:50 am
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:10 am
Good one Yanqui.
Me? When I go, I don’t want to get all made up and put in a box. I want it the ancient Native American way. Put me on an alter and let the birds have me. It will only be a shell then anyway. On the other side…
I do not want to humbly enter the afterworld with head bowed, and cleaned and pressed.
I heard it like this from someone, somewhere…
When I go I want to come into heaven like a rogue wave on an island beach.
Covered in the dirt of the earth.
Sliding into the great unknown, only to proclaim,
“WOW! What a ride!”
Yeah. That’s the ticket.
Be,
November 1st, 2009 at 9:16 am
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November 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am
Learning to ride the subways in England,
“You forgot your ticket.” in a beautiful lilting English voice behind me,
as the ticket quickly shoots up
and the saloon like doors swing open.
This world is so beautiful and the next.
With people that we love,
patiently waiting for us.
Barn, I do recall a movie and the Ancient Indian burial grounds. “Did you write that poem?”
I kinda like the Vikings of old with the small boat adrift with the burning fires, sending the Viking to be consume by the cooling waters of the sea.
Grandpa Pablo and Dolores send their love and condolences………
November 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
The passing of CRC’s father has left me searching for something comforting to say.
A few years back, the passing of my own father, close relatives and close friends all who passed within a short period of each other had me reeling. With the recent passing of Mr. Coppola’s father and Mr Aarne”s brother, these feelings have come to the surface once again. During these times I struggle with thoughts of my own mortality. I see so many sitting on their porches waiting to die and I wish not to be one of them. California Yanqui’s posting of Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas was a comforting poem and an appropriate tribute.
Aduzi
November 1st, 2009 at 11:33 am
I saw the movie your talking about Anna. I like the Old Norse Burial At Sea thing too. But to be put up on an alter to stare eternally into the eyes of Tunkas’ila. That does it for me. My final tribute to life will be the eternal stare. At least till the birds figure out that those eyes look awfully good. It’s cool though. I’m just a shell then. I think this would be considered comming to terms with my own mortality, eh Aduzi?
No Anna. I wish I could take credit for such a wonderful composition. Can’t say who penned it.
Be,
November 1st, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Barn, my frienduzi, sounds as if you have definitely come to terms with your own mortality. As for me, I can only hope to have others remember my “Be” by mourning my passing as I will mourn yours and those I have met here.
Aduzi
November 1st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
All death is a tragedy. Death can be very sad or it can even be a relief. I’ve had some deaths too. Husband was 22, dad 50, sister 38, mother 56, foster mother 65, girlfriend 53. I think that if one if blessed with old age and a natural death, their death is somewhat good. I hope to die naturally.
Your dad wasn’t old yet. I feel we’re old at about age 80, even though that is older than the normal American life expectancy.
Thing about death is when you hear of someone else’s loss, it reminds you of your own losses. And I must admit, after 30 years I can still cry tears over my losses. But I am thankful for the good memories that we shared. Especially the good ones.
Another thing about death is our family members got kind of weird with each other. As much as we did/do love each other, we were a bit testy. I hope you have peace Christopher. You do good for so many people. We need your good karma.
A Hug.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Now I have to get this in…
PAH Fest: Hollywood 09 is now up for judging. I got my duty done. There is alot of really great work comming from the Capital of PAH. I congratulate each and every one of you who participated this year. It was a plaesure to be able to see your work, and help pick this years top winners, because you are all winners in Barns book.
Brodda? Sista? Did you go do your deed? And anyone else who reads this. Just hit Christopher R. Coppola Productions link on the right of the screen and your almost there, link into PAH Nation, and poof! You are in the drivers seat. Enjoy.
Be,
November 1st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
My father died when I was twelve. My wonderful mother died only last year. I light candles on All Saint’s Day for them during Mass. When I do, I feel their presence. Today, I also lit a candle for your dad. Peace to you and your family.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
Eyes are both windows and beacons for the mind. They provide vision — our most precious sense. But they also transmit signals to others — signals of anger, lust, fear, compassion, happiness. Eyes can desire (‘A lover’s eyes will gaze an eagle blind’; Shakespeare, Love’s Labours Lost 1595) ; but also violate (‘They rape us with their eyes’; Marilyn French, The Women’s Room 1977) ; and eyes can reflect our innermost thoughts (‘Her eyes are homes of silent prayer’; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam A. H. H. canto 32, 1850). Gaze is arguably the most powerful component of body language.
Barn, I watched the Pahfest’s films and hopefully listen to Caruso’s tribute and symbols to Dr. August F. Coppola. That was a wonderful idea, Coppola……Eyes are very important and a good soucre of vitamin A…Coma- Robin Cook..
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
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November 2nd, 2009 at 11:58 am
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November 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Hey Christopher, I’m really sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. I wish you peace.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
In the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer. – Albert Camus
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Yes, Lane, yes…
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Augie Coppola, Director of the General Honors Program at California State University at Long Beach 1968-1971 during my freshman, sophomore, and junior years.
We were Augie’s “kids” … We were entranced by the “Wizard of HOB” … We were the creative freaks who embraced Augie’s innovative, inspirational and interdisciplinary teaching … We made films and tv video … We experimented with “Art and Technology” in 1970 and created the prototype of the Tactile Dome … We combined Philosophy and Physics in one course and researched iconoclastic world views in another … We worked for free at the Experimental College doing whatever Augie asked us to do in the name of Art and Education … David and I rolled around on the grass for Augie in early 1973 so he could film our actions in regular, slow and fast speed, demonstrating that caress becomes violence and violence becomes loving embrace depending on the film.
In the Spring of 1992 I had Augie’s phone number in SF and called him … He remembered me as one of a group of very special students at a very special time … And I told him how important and influential he had been and that I carry his wisdom throughout my life … And I thanked him.
I say “Thank You” again … now more than ever.
With love,
Terry Church, Eugene, Oregon
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Terry, thanks so much. He loved his students.